Amidst the ongoing Bud Light controversy, country music icon Garth Brooks has doubled down on his decision to serve the beer at his new Nashville bar, Friends in Low Places. Brooks emphasized inclusivity as the driving force behind his choice, stating on his "Inside Studio G" livestream, "Diversity, inclusiveness: that’s me! That’s always been me." He acknowledged differing opinions but maintained his stance, saying, "I think diversity is the answer to the problems that are here and the answer to the problems that are coming. So I love diversity. All-inclusive, so all are welcome."

Brooks further explained his decision from a business perspective, stating that customer demand will ultimately dictate which beers are stocked. "I’m a bar owner now," he shared. "Are we going to have the most popular beers in the thing? Yes. It’s not our call if we don’t or not. It’s the patrons’ call – the bosses… Bring ‘em in there, if they don’t want it, then I got to go to the distributor saying, ‘Man, your stuff’s not selling.’"

This contrasts with the approach of fellow country musician John Rich, owner of the Big & Rich bar, who has opted not to sell Bud Light. Rich previously told Fox News Digital that customer demand simply isn't there for the product. "The customers aren’t going to order it," he stated. "I’m not going to stock it… I’ve got to put beer and whiskey and vodkas up here that people want to purchase and they want to support… And brother, I can tell you right now, it’s a vicious attitude toward Bud Light."

Reiterating his commitment to inclusivity, Brooks welcomed everyone to his establishment with an open mind and a spirit of tolerance. "If you want to come to Friends in Low Places, come in. Come in with love, come in with tolerance, patience. Come in with an open mind, and it’s cool," he expressed.

The ongoing Bud Light controversy stems from the company’s partnership with transgender actress and activist Dylan Mulvaney, which sparked calls for boycotts from some entertainers and politicians. The partnership, promoted on social media, has significantly impacted Bud Light’s stock performance.