Bourbon Brand Refunds $20 for Expensive Game Day Receipts

U.S. sporting event admission prices have increased by 123% between 2000 and 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That rise significantly outpaces the 87% increase in overall consumer prices during the same period. Green River Whiskey launched a new promotion on November 6 to address the rising cost of attending live events. The brand, part of Lofted Spirits, is returning $20 to fans who prove they paid too much for game day essentials.

The promotion is called the Bullshit Refund. Fans can submit receipts for tickets, parking, food, merchandise, or other qualifying live-event expenses at greenriverwhiskey.com/bsrefund. The submission window opens on November 6 and closes on November 20. Participants do not need to purchase Green River bourbon to qualify for the refund. The only requirement is a receipt showing at least $20 in eligible live-event purchases.

Approved participants receive their $20 refund directly through Venmo. Jim Lake, the brand’s VP of Marketing, serves as the spokesperson for the campaign. He noted that fans often face sticker shock at concession stands and parking lots. Lake stated that the brand aims to put money back into fans' pockets even though it cannot fix bad calls on the field. The program is one refund per person and available while funds last.

Green River’s marketing team previously released a tailgate song and music video to draw attention to game day costs. This refund program extends that message to a direct financial incentive. The initiative covers expenses from football games and other eligible live events. Alcohol and other excluded items do not count toward the $20 minimum purchase requirement. The brand’s Wheated Bourbon won Best Overall Bourbon at the 2025 New York World Spirits Competition.

The promotion reflects a wider trend of rising costs for live entertainment. Parking and food prices have contributed to the total expense for attendees. Green River positions its bourbon as an honest price in a market where extras often cost more than the main attraction. The brand’s history dates back to 1885 in Kentucky. It currently operates under the Lofted Spirits umbrella, one of the largest American whiskey distillers in the United States.

Fans interested in the program must upload their receipts by the November 20 deadline. The Green River Bullshit Detector tool on the website provides a playful breakdown of game day costs. The brand encourages fans to check the full terms and eligibility requirements on its website. The $20 refund is intended to offset the sting of high event bills. No further promotions were announced for the rest of tailgate season, but the brand indicated it has more plans in the works.