Spirit Cruises January 2023 Leaderboard

Backlash from Super Bowl Ad Continues for A-B InBev

by Ryan Hudak on Feb 13, 2015 in Beer
Backlash from Super Bowl Ad Continues for A-B InBev
During the Super Bowl, AB InBev aired the now-infamous anti-craft beer commercial about brewing “the hard way.” As it turns out, the 3,000+ craft breweries around the country—including the one InBev had just purchased—and their innumerable fans and supporters didn’t take too kindly to the commercial’s misguided jabs and inaccuracies.

The day after the ad first aired, Paste Magazine did a pretty in-depth and scathing takedown, with my favorite point showing the hypocrisy of the ad: InBev specifically calls out peach pumpkin ales, not realizing—or not caring—that the latest craft brewery they gobbled up (Elysian) brews a beer in exactly that style. The best part being that, in a later attempt to backpedal, the Budweiser VP, Brian Perkins, called it a “fabricated, ludicrous flavor combination.” Open mouth, insert foot.

The commercial has spawned two excellent parodies, with the more serious-minded version by HopStories, touting the variety of flavors of craft beer over “your one”—clearly aimed at Budweiser. The second, an excellently not-so-serious version by Ninkasi Brewing, which takes down pretty much every premise put forth in the Budweiser commercial.

Despite the further backpedaling by Budweiser saying the commercial wasn’t anti-craft, but more pro-Bud, the winners in all of this may yet be the craft brewers. Apparently InBev didn’t realize just how many friends craft beer has in the US political system, and the ad has reinvigorated attempts at passing the Small BREW Act, legislation which aims to drop the tax rate from $7.00 to $3.50 on a brewery’s first 60,000 barrels, and then drop it $2.00 on anything from 60,001 barrels to 2 million barrels. Anyone producing 6 million barrels or more, however, won’t see any benefit.

This change in legislation is probably the only way for anyone to see any benefit from the commercial, other than Budweiser being talked about by craft beer fans far more than is normal. On the strength of the commercial alone, the people who are outraged by it probably don’t drink Budweiser anyway, and anyone who agrees with the commercial and it’s outlandish claims probably won’t be reaching for a craft beer any time soon. 

Photo via YouTube


Tags: Beer
Recent Articles
spacer

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
2025 Is a Breakout Year for Philadelphia's Bar Scene - Here's Why

2025 Is a Breakout Year for Philadelphia's Bar Scene - Here's Why

Philadelphia's thriving beverage industry is being lauded with several accolades...read more ›

by Alisha Miranda Apr 6, 2025
Secret Garden Pop-Up Speakeasy Launches at Philadelphia Distilling

Secret Garden Pop-Up Speakeasy Launches at Philadelphia Distilling

Celebrate spring in style this April with Philadelphia Distilling at Botanicals in Bloom - a secret garden spe...read more ›

by Michelle Cryder Apr 2, 2025
The Drink Nation Presents: The Home Bar Project

The Drink Nation Presents: The Home Bar Project

Have you ever dreamed of having an amazing home bar, filled with bottles you actually use and the tools you need to execute a fine crafted cocktail? E...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Nov 14, 2014
SPONSORED
Spirit Cruises January 2023 Desktop Bottom Rectangle 1
Emmett: Inside Look at the Cozy Grandma's House Inspired Cocktail Menu

Emmett: Inside Look at the Cozy "Grandma's House" Inspired Cocktail Menu

From Executive Chef Evan Snyder and partner Julian van der Tak comes Emmett, a Levantine-Mediterranian bar and...read more ›

by Michelle Cryder Mar 25, 2025
Local Winery Spotlight: Vox Vineti Wines

Local Winery Spotlight: Vox Vineti Wines

Ed Lazzerini says his goal is clear - to make world class wine in Pennsylvania. From the taste of it, he is well on his way. ...read more ›

by Drink Philly Nov 21, 2020
Philly's Best Happy Hours: Almyra's $7 Cocktails, $8 Tuna Crispy Rice, & $8 Flaming Cheese, 7 Days a Week

Philly's Best Happy Hours: Almyra's $7 Cocktails, $8 Tuna Crispy Rice, & $8 Flaming Cheese, 7 Days a Week

This week's installment is all about Almyra, a modern Greek restaurant and bar in Rittenhouse Square that tran...read more ›

by Michelle Cryder Mar 18, 2025
Canada's Next Level Response to Tariffs Removes All U.S. Wine & Spirits From the Shelves

Canada's Next Level Response to Tariffs Removes All U.S. Wine & Spirits From the Shelves

Part of Canada's response, their retaliation, to the tariffs imposed on Canadian goods coming into the U.S. ha...read more ›

by Lew Bryson Mar 17, 2025
Philadelphia Craft Ice Co: Inside Look at the Ice Elevating Philly's Cocktail Scene

Philadelphia Craft Ice Co: Inside Look at the Ice Elevating Philly's Cocktail Scene

Philadelphia Craft Ice is the first artisanal ice company in Philly focused on elevating the quality of cockta...read more ›

by Drink Philly Mar 9, 2025
Franklin Mortgage Launches Pop-up Flower Shop & Speakeasy for Flower Show, March 2-8

Franklin Mortgage Launches Pop-up Flower Shop & Speakeasy for Flower Show, March 2-8

The Franklin Mortgage in Rittenhouse is transforming their entire space into a pop-up flower shop featuring a ...read more ›

by Drink Philly Feb 25, 2025
The 12th Annual Philly Bierfest Celebrates the Rich History of Brewing German-Style Beers in Pennsylvania, February 22

The 12th Annual Philly Bierfest Celebrates the Rich History of Brewing German-Style Beers in Pennsylvania, February 22

The German Society of Philadelphia's 12 Annual Bierfest returns February 22 with a selection of over 50 German...read more ›

by Michelle Cryder Feb 18, 2025
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Home Bar Project Bottom Rectangle 2
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close