BEER! It's Miller Time at the Indy 500

I have gotten a lot of questions about whether my beloved Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) serves Bud Light beer amid the recent controversy and boycott- and I will admit I was afraid to ask- because I don't want to stop writing about IndyCar and I certainly do not want to miss my yearly tradition of going to racing 'Meca" of the world- the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

It might be served somewhere- but lets look at who is being highlighted:

To be honest, even as a long-time conservative political reporter, I am constantly on edge about politics getting into my IndyCar- because politics and racing don't go together like Chocolate and Peanut butter. (If you are a kid of the late 1970's you will understand the reference.)

I mean, I just want to drink a beer and watch some racing in peace like the majority of fans- but my readers asked- and it is important to them- so here we are- with me looking for the answer to their legit questions.

Here is what I can tell my readers:

Miller beer is highlighted by NTT IndyCar in 2023, and we could make this a huge political victory lap but let's examine these details fully, to be fair; this is not a political statement by the IMS or by NTT.

We could make it hugely political because, in general, most Indy race fans have a long history of being pretty Conservative- and we are also extremely respectful to keep racing- about racing and drivers.

But we didn't start this beer situation either.

It is important to remember that Miller Lite has been a sponsor at the Speedway for a long time, so that is not to say that there isn't any Bud Light at the track. In general, I believe Mr. Roger Penske, the owner of the IMS, who was awarded a Medal of Freedom by President Donald J. Trump, tries to keep his speedway welcome and open to everyone.

Penske is a real ambassador to American racing. That shouldn't have to be political- right?

I am a lifelong Indy fan, and I have interviewed people from all 'walks of life' who work for Penske who report to me that they are treated very, very well by him personally and by his organization. I have interviewed janitorial staff to track officials and they all say that they feel very respected by Penske for their contributions to the speedway, to his corporation and to the enjoyment of racing fans.

While I am extremely Conservative- I can understand that many people who work for the speedway and for Penske wish to keep their jobs and the sport as neutral as possible for the enjoyment of racing overall.

Wouldn't we all be better off if everyone kept politics out of our sports and leisure and entertainment?

However, beer is actually a major national story now, and that is because of the choices that Bud Lite made with their branding, which was hugely unpopular. Then the company's reaction to their mistakes was hugely offensive and triggering for many people- so my readers want to know about beer- and so here it is.

I will write about beer.

NTT says it is "Miller Time".

So there is a huge story- Bud Light is getting it's butt kicked. There is no other way to put it.

Outkick reported on the details of the beer wars and the Bud Light created controversy:

Bud Light sales continue to sink like a brick as the Dylan Mulvaney fallout nears it’s one-month anniversary.

Congrats to the happy couple!

The latest numbers are in, and the folks over at Anheuser-Busch may wanna look away.

According to Beer Business Daily, Bud Light’s off-premise sales volume — the amount of beer sold outside of restaurants and bars — was down 26.1% from a year earlier in the week ending in April 22.

That’s even worse than the 21.1% decrease from the week prior, while Bud Light numbers are now down 8% this year.

Those above figures include sales at grocery stores, convenience stores, and liquor stores.

“The shocking deterioration of Bud Light Blue’s market share continued apace through the third week of April — and actually somehow worsened. We’ve never seen such a dramatic shift in national share in such a short period of time,” Beer Business Daily wrote on it’s website.

Miller Lite is the sponsor of Carb Day festivities, which are always an amazing and fun celebration of the traditional running of the Indy 500:

A post from 2022 shows that Miller Lite was a sponsor before the controversy.

And from 2017:

If you want to enjoy beer and celebrate the local flavors of Indianapolis, consider this:

Sun King Brewing Co. has quickly become Indy's largest craft microbrewery, producing nearly 25,000 barrels a year, who were named "Grand National Champs".

And check out this guide to Indiana beer:

" Race fans will converge on the Circle City during the month to watch practice, time trails and qualifying leading up to the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500 and the Inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis.

The IMS allows spectators to bring their own beer to the race. They do have rules about carry in beverages and coolers. From the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Spectator Regulations:

• Coolers are permitted but size is restricted to no larger than 18 inches by 14 inches by 14 inches; coolers may be hard- or soft-sided.

• Purses, backpacks and other bags are permitted. Size is not to exceed 18 inches by 14 inches by 14 inches.

• Food and beverages are permitted, but no glass containers of any kind are allowed.

What better beer to bring to the race than locally brewed Indiana canned craft beer? Here are some suggestions from Indiana On Tap.

Read More HERE

And here are some details about Miller Lite Carb Day which will be held this year on Friday, May 26, 2023 at the IMS and a flashback to a prior Miller Lite Carb Day:

For anyone who doesn't like beer, they can stick to milk... and let's hope no one ever makes milk political! Have a great month of May, enjoy your beer and your American racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

gest craft microbrewery, producing nearly 25,000 barrels a year.