'Fox & Friends' hosts discuss why US recorded 'lowest' beer consumption in the last century in 2023 with ex-Anheuser-Busch exec Anson Frericks

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: 'Fox & Friends' hosts had some rough news for the beer industry as Pete Hegseth shared that the United States had recorded the lowest consumption of beer in the last century in 2023.

Rachel Campos expressed her surprise at the report, before mentioning that Anheuser-Busch, the company that owns beer brands such as Budweiser, Bud Light, Bud Dry, and many more, was leading the downward spiral in sales.

This was easily foreseeable as Campos reminded viewers of the controversy that one of their product lines, Bud Light, which began in mid-2023 when the company partnered up with trans social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

Many Republicans, including media personalities such as Megyn Kelly, had since called for a boycott of the brand, with a few going back on the boycott toward the end of last year.

Anson Frericks called the Bud Light deal a 'big mistake'

When asked to explain his stand, former Anheuser-Busch executive Anson Frericks claimed that beer sales being down is "just a Bud Light issue. If you take a look at Miller Light, Coors Light, Yuengling, Modelo - they're way up this year."

"The bigger issue (for Bud Light) has been the response (over boycott calls). Bud Light has done a lot since the Dylan Mulvaney partnership. They've tripled their marketing spend over summer. They did a partnership with Peyton Manning this fall. They signed a $100 million contract with UFC and Dana White," he said.

"The one thing they haven't done is that they haven't gone to their customers, whom they called 'bratty' and 'out of touch' and just apologized," he continued.

"They haven't said that Bud Light, moving forward, can get back to football… doing sports and barbeques… those are the things that people want, and unless they can do that, I don't see the sales turning around in United States," added Frericks.

Knowing the 'real shareholders'

When Hegseth asked why Anheuser-Busch had not apologized and completely isolated itself from socio-political issues, Frericks responded by saying that it might be over the stance of the company's shareholders.

"Unfortunately the company has been captured by some of its largest shareholders… like BlackRock, (which) is the largest asset management company in the country."

"BlackRock is one of the leading companies that pushes this environmental and social agenda of the government, (and) tells owners of the companies that they have to get involved in the divisive socio-political issues. They're doing that because a lot of the money that BlackRock manages comes from California and New York," he proceeded to explain.

"So unfortunately I think Anheuser-Busch is scared of its largest shareholders… they need to (understand) who their real shareholders are - it's everyday Americans," Frericks said.

The effect of growing health consciousness

When Campos asked whether the drop in sales could be a reflection of the population being more concerned about their health, Frericks responded that it may be the case.

However, he maintained his claim that other brands have seen a growth in sales.

While some people are choosing better spirits and wines to opt for a premier taste, others are also seeking out non-alcoholic options.

Beer companies need to get back to humor and fun to reclaim their hold on the market, he concluded.