Your dh and his friend were dead wrong. Why couldn't they discreetly drink their beer if they absolutely MUST? But to lug a big azz cooler into the backyard and make a whole production out of it. And then refuse to remove it when asked by the host. Your dh and his friend sound like aholes. The host wouldn't have had to text me to ask for an apology; I would've already done so. And I would've told dh exactly how I felt about it.

Anonymous wrote:This must be the only guy in America still drinking Bud Light.

and Travis Kelcey

Even Kid Rock ended his boycott, the heart wants what it wants

Anonymous wrote:I'd apologize for him and not tell him, easy peasy

No way. He will just do another frat-boy stunt next time. Though I doubt there'll be a next time as they won't be invited again, even if OP does apologize.

OP, is he one of these guys who thinks he's so much fun? I'm betting yes.

Anonymous wrote:This must be the only guy in America still drinking Bud Light.

Budweiser and Corona are the two most popular beers in America.

Congratulations! You and jerk husband will not be invited to future parties. He can laugh that off in his man cave.

This must be the only guy in America still drinking Bud Light.

He and the other buddy (I'm betting they egged each other on to do this, and thought it would be funny) were out of line--not for preferring Bud Light but for making a big show of bringing it. Kind of thumbing their noses at the host, hostess, and party overall. Telegraphing more of "We think you're snobs!" than "We really would rather drink Bud Light."

So yeah, rude. ONE night they can drink something else or nothing at all.

However:

The hostess is now being rude as well. Were your DH and friend jerks in her face? Yeah, but any good hostess would not ORDER guests to "put it away." She had a right to be offended but no good host shows it like that and adds to the little drama your DH was enjoying creating. (She should have had her DH - who supposedly is your DH's old friend!-- tell him the joke was done, and then the DH could move the cooler at a moment when your DH and pal were otherwise occupied.) Or she could have totally ignored the Bud Light. And it's out of line to demand an apology in a case like this. Classier to ignore it and simply never invite your DH and you to any events again, if hostess was that bent out of shape about it. I'd have laughed and would still invite you, and next time would have a wider selection of beers!

Your DH's doubling down now, refusing to apologize and laughing about it, would make me very ticked off, your shoes. I think he should apologize (don't do it for him! You didn't bring the cooler) and I'd be thinking hard about whether he's generally either a jerk who insists he have what HE likes no matter the circumstances, or a jerk who thinks he's hilarious when he does stuff like this.

Either way, does he make a habit of this kind of immature stunt?

My response to this depends entirely on whether the actual host was offended. If the person who is your husband's long-time friend, and the person who earned the money to make this lifestyle happens, is actually offended, then I'd offer an apology.

But it sounds like maybe the old friend found it funny, or at least tolerable, and his wife is inflexible.

I'd apologize for him and not tell him, easy peasy

The hostess should have been more gracious during the party and certainly not texted after.

But your DH was in the wrong. Sounds like he wanted to pull some college guy prank.

Agree that he brought unnecessary attention to it.

For your sake op, it's his friend so I would just leave it. His friend likely isn't surprised.

He was out of line. He should have stashed his cooler and poured his bud light into a festive holiday cup. Or tipped the bartender $100 to stash it discreetly behind the bar.

I don't think it was out of line to bring what he prefers to drink, but if the hostess was truly upset he should have let it go, or been willing to apologize for upsetting her.

Did they really need a 70qt cooler full, and to have it put out in public? He could have brought a six- or twelve-pack and given it to the bartender to ice for him when he needed a drink. Seems like he wanted to pull a stunt for attention, which is a bigger problem than bad taste in beer.

My DH has a friend from childhood that has done extremely well for himself. Built a business and made millions several times over. Each year they host an off the charts Christmas party that must cost them $50,000. Half a dozen servers walking around with champagne, scallops, beef wellingtons, crab cakes, the works. I mean, they have a huge raw bar with shuckers in one corner. Everything is high end, including the drinks. Easily a couple hundred guests. Sen Warner was there.

Well, DH only drinks Bud light. The party only served champagne, wine, mixed drinks and Stella. So, unbeknownst to me, my DH and another childhood buddy packed a huge 70 qt cooler with cans of Bud Light and ice. Then, once at the party, they asked the host's sons to get it from the trunk and put it in the backyard.

The wife of the guy (Hostess, if you will) saw this and basically lost her mind and told them to put it away. They declined and proceeded to enjoy the party with cans of Bud Light in their hand.

The night went on and yesterday we got a note from her asking for 'an apology'. DH couldn't stop laughing and says he never will. I might extend on our behalf. That will likely irritate my DH.

Was he actually out of line? Is an apology warranted?