The last celebrity to walk through Gator Beverage’s doors was TikTok star Alix Earle. On Thursday, Busch Light Apple became the next.
This wasn’t the flavored beer’s first appearance at the Gainesville liquor store. In late April, what was meant to be a limited-edition drop lasting in the store’s inventory for a couple months instead turned into a “48 hour phenomenon,” said 41-year-old Ryan Barnett, co-owner of Gator Beverage.
Neither the store, nor the beer’s creator Anheuser-Busch, foresaw what would be a two-day craze reflecting the drink’s success nationwide. Affectionately known as “Bapple,” the beverage saw over 1.2 million cases sold within the month it was rereleased, more than any other U.S. beer brand at the time.
In a frenzy, Busch Light Apple lovers hopped on beer locator websites and spread the news.
“We would probably get nothing shy of 20 phone calls a day for two months after asking for Busch Light Apple,” Barnett said.
Busch Light Apple was first released in 2020 as a seasonal product and the company's first flavored drink. It was later discontinued in 2022, much to the dismay of Facebook groups who would “mourn the loss of their favorite beer.”
But after a three-year hiatus, Busch Light Apple returned to shelves earlier this year — only its cult following had grown even stronger.
Andrew Pentland, the 33-year-old Gator Beverage employee responsible for buying the store’s products, said Busch Light Apple’s social media impact, branding and clever nickname was the perfect recipe for popularity.
“I've been here 11 years now, and I've never seen a velocity on a product like that,” Pentland said. “It's just by far the biggest beer release we've ever had.”
For many college students, the fanfare surrounding Bapple sparks fear of missing out on the craze — pushing them to give the drink a try. From quirky Busch Light Apple memes to helicopter airdrops of the drink, Bapple’s marketing team played into the excitement.
“The only reason I really wanted to try it was the hype,” said 21-year-old UF business administration senior Jorge Coronado.
But the crisp fruity taste is the main selling point for other buyers. Will Shaoul, a 21-year-old UF computer engineering senior, said he built an affinity for apple-tasting alcohol after studying abroad in Ireland.
Others, like Austin Mendillo, a 21-year-old UF international business graduate student, values saving money. Mendillo was among around 10 students waiting for the giveaway to begin. The special giveaway in question: two cans of Busch Light Apple and a koozie for just $1.
But even at its normal retail price, Bapple is an affordable flavored alcohol option, Mendillo said. A pack of 30 cans sells for about $26 — less than a buck per Bapple.
“It’s really cheap, which means for college students, it’s consumed all the time,” Mendillo said.
By the end of the event, Gator Beverage gave away 240 bags of Busch Light Apple. This time, the liquor store learned its lesson after April’s 48-hour sellout: It only allowed guests to take two Bapple cans each.
