Bud Light loses top spot in US beer sales.

Bud Light Loses Top Spot as America’s Best-Selling Beer

Bud Light, once America’s favorite beer, has fallen from grace following a controversial partnership with a transgender influencer. The brand’s sales have been on a steady decline since April, and now, after months of boycotts, it has lost its spot as the top-selling beer in the country.

“Our year is screwed,” a distributor for Bud Light parent company Anheuser-Busch told the Wall Street Journal.

Modelo Takes the Lead

According to the Wall Street Journal, Modelo is now the best-selling beer in the US, with 8.4% of sales in the four weeks leading up to June 3. Bud Light came in second with 7.3% of sales. Overall, Bud Light’s sales are down by 24% compared to the same period last year.

Boycott Expected to Last

Many beer distributors expect the boycott of Bud Light to continue, with 65% predicting it will last another six months and 32% saying it could be permanent, according to a survey by investment firm Jefferies Group.

• April: Bud Light partners with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney
• June: Bud Light loses top spot as America’s best-selling beer
• July: Beer distributors predict boycott will continue

The partnership with Mulvaney was first made public on April 1, when Mulvaney revealed it on social media, showing a Bud Light can featuring the influencer’s face. Mulvaney also posted a video drinking Bud Light in a bathtub.

Attempts to Win Back Conservative Base

Bud Light and other Anheuser-Busch brands have since run several ads attempting to win back their conservative base, and the company pledged to spend more money on marketing this summer. However, Republican senator Ted Cruz (Texas) launched a probe into the company last month over whether the company targeted an underage audience through its Mulvaney partnership.

“Our year is screwed,” a distributor for Bud Light parent company Anheuser-Busch told the Wall Street Journal.