Beer giant Budweiser recently announced they’re temporarily changing their name to “America” as a marketing stunt. Our own Alex covered the story on May 10. But while Budweiser beer is indeed brewed in America, the company itself is owned by a Belgian-Brazilian conglomerate. The irony hasn’t gone unnoticed—or unparodied.
The craft beer community likes, to borrow a phrase from my friends across the pond, to take the piss out of Budweiser beer products. After all, the quality of the brew leaves a lot to be desired. The old party joke calls it “piss in a can,” or simply “yellow water” in more polite company.
A craft brewing company in Michigan is taking the mockery a step further by parodying Budweiser’s marketing stunt with their own. The Saugatuck Brewing Company has announced they’re renaming their beer ‘Murica. Because nothing says patriotism like dropping an A and slurring your pronunciation with that world-famous American draw.
“Fear not, America. We’re here to make beer named after America great again,” the company wrote on their Facebook wall.
“We’re very proud to introduce our brand new name and packaging, along with the assurance that all of our beer is brewed under the careful watch of 1,776 Bald Eagles. This ensures that every drop of our beer is as true and honest as our fore fathers before us. Unlike other “America” beers, our brewery is completely American owned. What does it taste like, you ask? Freedom. It tastes like Freedom.”
Did you hear that? 1,776 bald eagles. I’m an eagle lover myself, and even for me that’s a lot of eagles.
An few Facebook commenters suggested the company follow-up with an “Irony IPA.” But as writer Megan Hamilton recently pointed out, there are few greater ironies than an international conglomerate pandering to Americans with patriotic gimmicks:
This isn’t a new idea, the company has been touting beer-themed patriotism for some time now, dressing bottles in stars and stripes in previous years. But there’s more than patriotism behind this—here, “America” is a clever marketing ploy because summer is the most important season in terms of beer sales.
Not only that, but it’s patriotism with a catch: While Budweiser is made in the U.S., it’s owned by a Belgian-Brazilian conglomerate. Try to fit all those national anthems on the can. A bit tricky to say the least.
A bit tricky, indeed.
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