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Budweiser's Controversial 'America' Branding Revived for 2017

Budweiser's Controversial 'America' Branding Revived for 2017

A case of Budweiser, rebranded as "America," sits on a shelf at a grocery store, May 23, 2016, in Washington, D.C. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

By    |   Wednesday, 24 May 2017 06:02 PM EDT

Budweiser is bringing back its “America” bottles and cans in patriotic packaging, along with the controversy the bottles created when they were introduced last year.

Replacing the Budweiser name with “America” is part of a promotion to raise money for members of the military through the Folds of Honor organization. As Memorial Day approaches, the beer company wanted to do something to support America’s armed forces, so a portion of all proceeds from bottles sold between May 22 and 29 will be donated to Folds of Honor, Fortune reported.

The promotion caused controversy when it rolled out last year. Although Budweiser is brewed in America, its parent company AB InBev is based in Belgium. The discrepancy led some, particularly craft brewers, to denounce the bottles.

“Frankly, Budweiser calling itself 'America' is the most un-American thing I’ve observed in quite a while,” microbrewer Will Cameron of South Carolina wrote in a blog post.

He accused Budweiser of “draping itself in the American flag, whilst also attacking an entire industry and culture of real American entrepreneurs,” presumably craft brewers like himself.

Budweiser Vice President Ricardo Marques has a different view, however. “Our goal is to remind Budweiser drinkers of the courage and sacrifice made by all American service men and women who protect our nation and our freedoms,” he said, Fortune reported.

CEO of Folds of Honor Major Dan Rooney agreed: “Budweiser continues to be an amazing partner and member of the Folds of Honor family. Their unwavering commitment to service men and women along with veterans is truly commendable.”

Budweiser had previously donated $11 million to the Folds of Honor organization, Fortune reported.

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TheWire
Budweiser is bringing back its "America" bottles and cans in patriotic packaging, along with the controversy the bottles created when they were introduced last year.
budweiser, america, branding
274
2017-02-24
Wednesday, 24 May 2017 06:02 PM
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