America’s conservatives are comparable to a slumber colossus. If he abruptly awakens to an attack and the theft of something essential to him, such as respect, he will trample you. Anheuser-Busch has been reminded of this more than anyone else.

The company’s paucity of sales during the Fourth of July weekend provided further evidence of this reality. According to OUTKICK, Bud Light failed to capture even a small portion of the U.S. beer market.

Conservative American beer drinkers instead packed their containers with Modelo Especial, Coors Light, Miller Light, Yuengling, and Michelob Ultra and called it a day. Since the company partnered with Dylan Mulvaney for a publicity stunt advertising itself as a March Madness promotion, traditional Bud Light drinkers appear to be sending the message “that street needn’t run both ways after all” through declining sales and billions of dollars lost in market capitalization.

The distinction between the OUTKICK map that was released after the recent holiday weekend and the one that was posted on Twitter on April 5 says it all.

Most popular beer by state according a a PR agency.https://t.co/kftO84OjcW pic.twitter.com/sI4wOMxPQn

— Marc (@MeltzVegas) April 5, 2023

Consumers express themselves through their purchases. It is a vernacular that corporate America has taught them well in its recent evolution. And “wokeness has no place in it” is what these once loyal drinkers continue to say.

This does not imply they are hell-bent on denying progress and residing in a pit. In their opinion, politics and alcohol are incompatible. And if left to remind businesses of this fact, they are not hesitant to do so loudly.

Anheuser-Busch’s current dilemma is that their gaffe has left them with no options. They cannot advance or retreat. There is no remedy available.

If they blatantly apologize to their consumer base, the LGBT community, liberals, and the mainstream media will hang them. However, anything less will fall on deaf ears among American conservatives. Anheuser-Busch is compelled to choose a side due to the position it has placed itself in.

Their failure to do so has earned them the complete and utter contempt of an audience that was previously receptive. As a consequence, there is nowhere to go but down.

As a result, corporate America must take note of this situation, particularly as politics seeps into every nook and cranny. As liberal zealots continue to promote wokeness, conservatives will continue to be angered by attempts by traditionally popular brands to ride that tide.

The bottom line will be significantly affected. At the same time, opportunities will be provided to newcomers. Consider the recent national spread of Modelo Especial during the holiday weekend.

This is a border crossing that appears to be welcomed by conservative Americans who value good taste over bad judgment and are not hesitant to demonstrate it.

It is unfortunate that Anheuser-Busch’s historical relationship with beer-drinking, conservative Americans has reached such an unprecedented level. Most poor choices incorporate a degree of flexibility. There are very few situations where you cannot return.

However, this is one of those rare instances that can be attributed to the instant when the error occurred. “Today” in our nation is unlike any other day. Because forgiveness is impossible, there is little to no forgiveness. The United States’ identity is at peril.

That implies one thing to conservatives. To liberals, this has a very different meaning. Consequently, our brands will be trapped in the midst of this conflict.

In other words, pay close attention if you are planning your marketing strategy for the next two years. Remember who you are serving and prepare all possible courses of action in the event that you are abruptly dragged — or walk — into the political fray.

Companies must know what to do if they find themselves unexpectedly in the middle of a conflict. Try not to intentionally place yourself there, as Anheuser-Busch did. Their misguided efforts to expand the Bud Light brand demonstrated that they had outgrown their pants.

This roused the dozing behemoth, leaving him with no choice but to trample their brand.