Bud Light is becoming a harder find in Nashville, but it still has Friends in Low Places.
Garth Brooks not only will sell Bud Light at his new Nashville bar, but has said that boycotting the beer is the stuff of an “a—hole” and that diversity is everything to him.
Mr. Brooks said last week that his bar, titled after his biggest hit, would be an oasis for “all kinds of beer,” including Bud Light.
“Our thing is this: If you come into this house, love one another. If you’re an a—hole, there are plenty of other places on Lower Broadway to go,” he continued.
Since Bud Light partnered with transgender social-media influencer Dylan Mulvaney, its sales have cratered, the parent company has lost billions in stock value, multiple marketing executives have resigned or taken leave, and the brand has become a frequent target of boycotts and demonstrations of public contempt.
Musicians have been in the forefront of the backlash, from Kid Rock shooting up cases of the beer to Brantley Gilbert smashing a can onstage.
Mr. Brooks’ defense of Bud Light prompted considerable social-media pushback, but he refused to back down this week on his livestream “Inside Studio G,” according to an NBC News report.
He acknowledged that “quite a little bit of a stir” had happened in the previous days.
“Everybody’s got their opinions. But inclusiveness is always going to be me,” he said. “I think diversity is the answer to the problems that are here and the answer to the problems that are coming. So I love diversity.”
Mr. Brooks noted that Bud Light is one of most popular beers in America — though it had held the No. 1 slot for decades until losing that position in the past few weeks. As a bar owner, Mr. Brooks said he will sell it and patrons can then decide whether to buy it.
“So, here’s the deal, man, if you want to come to Friends in Low Places, come in. But come in with love, come in with tolerance, patience. Come in with an open mind, and it’s cool,” Mr. Brooks said.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.
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