As a result of a recent Budweiser advertisement, the Matador Bar and Grill off of East Harmony has ended its sales of Budweiser products.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siHU_9ec94c
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During the 2015 Super Bowl, Budweiser ran an advertisement that challenged craft breweries everywhere. During the advertisement, Budweiser criticized craft beer drinkers for dissecting their beer rather than just drinking, and described Budweiser as being “brewed the hard way”.
Although the advertisement may have won over some supporters, it did not win over Paul Michaelsen, the owner of the Matador, who responded to the advertisement by ending the sale of all Budweiser products from his store.
“Budweiser was a big bully picking on the little guy,” Michaelsen said.
Michaelsen said he supports local breweries, and although he has no problem drinking Budweiser himself, he does not want to support the company in his restaurant.
Michaelsen said it was silly that Budweiser would make an advertisement that would attract so much animosity from critics. He believes that comparing Budweiser to craft beers is like comparing “apples to oranges.”
In addition to not selling Budweiser, the Matador is now poking fun at the company by offering a Peach Pumpkin ale sauce, since Pumpkin Peach ale was mocked in the commercial. The Pumpkin Peach ale sauce has been successful, although Michaelsen said that it will be a temporary product.
Some customers said they approved of the stance taken against Budweiser.
Ben DeVries, a customer at the Matador, said he was “all for” Michaelsen’s decision to stop selling Budweiser products, and said he has been coming to the restaurant more as a result.
“Why even carry Budweiser in the first place,” customer Brian Cathcart said, saying that there are 16 local breweries in Fort Collins to choose from.
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Cathcart said he liked the idea of the Matador supporting Fort Collins breweries.
“Supporting local businesses is what is important,” Michaelsen said.
Budweiser could not be reached for comment by time of print.
Collegian Reporter Matt Gindin can be reached at news@collegian.com and on Twitter @mgindin1.
