Sitting down to watch the excitement and wonder that is the US Super Bowl is a feat in itself; complete with endless snacks and a nice cold drink in hand. But let’s be honest why are we really excited to watch a bunch of men run into one another; the Budweiser Commercials. These commercials are works of art that keep us at the edge of our seats knowing something great is about to happen. Of these amazing commercials, the title of being the ultimate super bowl commercial still belongs and will always belong to the 10 Clydesdales of the Budweiser family.
Whether it’s their fluffy white socks, their mesmerizing shiny coats, or their insatiable on-screen humor, these horses really know how to make a heart melt. From the cute puppies to the heartfelt storylines, Budweiser has been serving some of the best super bowl commercials for almost 4 decades. Despite their obvious superiority and our endless encore requests, the Budweiser family chose against participating in the 2021 Super Bowl commercial lineup, leaving us without the tear-jerking puppy-to-horse relationships, and of course the famous shiny red beer-wagon. So in honor of celebrating this month’s featured breed and in reminisce of the good old days, we’re counting down our top picks for the best Budweiser commercials yet.
10. The Snowball Fight.
Coming in at Number 10, is the forever fun Budweiser commercial that aired in the spring of 2005. Four curious, mischievous, and youthful Clydesdale foals soon to take the Budweiser throne are featured as this year’s main event, symbolizing the millions of young and ambitious hearts in the world. But as most childhoods go, there comes a level of spirited conniving, more specifically involving the temptation to mess with the wise elders. The elders, you ask, are represented by three of the 2005 Budweiser Clydesdales, eager to put the little tricksters in their place.
The foals are shown starting a snowball fight that they cannot finish, quickly being outwitted by the three wise elders with a swift tap of the tree, completely covering the youngins in a fresh coat of cold snow. While their ads are meant to sell a lager, many of them contain a hidden message with outstanding relevance to the real world. To the general public, this ad simply associates fun and charismatic emotions with drinking a Budweiser beer through the use of their youthful Clydesdales. But what I see is the younger generation of the world being represented by foals to showcase that while it is important to have fun and be courageous during our youth, it is important to heed the advice of those that have already walked your path. To truly understand and appreciate the entirety of this commercial, take a look for yourself.
9. Return of the King.
During 1920, citizens of the US experienced a decade-long ban on all types and forms of alcohol, confining many of their thirsty habits to the dark corners of the streets. After 13 years of what seemed like a never-ending prohibition, the ban was finally lifted immediately met with city-wide celebrations and the feeling of having a new lease on life. In 2012, the Budweiser family ingeniously put their own creative spin on this historical US moment, obviously putting their brand of alcohol front and center. The beginning of the ad is set in a gloomy and dimmed town with motions being of the slowest rate when all a sudden the hoofs of the great Clydesdale team are heard off in the distance. As the sounds of their thundering steps get closer, the frame begins to widen and even brighten in color, as people begin to pool out of every door and alleyway to be the first in line when the Budweiser wagon arrives. It is an ad that celebrates freedom and a celebratory feeling, with the Budweiser Horses playing their part in History.
8. The Budweiser Team Commercial
Life is made of the various dreams and ambitions of tomorrow, inspiring the many to truck on towards the desired destination, a theme that many of us can sympathize with easily. The Budweiser Clydesdales are no stranger to this feeling of ambitious tendencies, bringing us to their 2008 Super Bowl commercial.
Hank is the protagonist of this year’s on-screen moment, who is unfortunately not chosen for the Clydesdale wagon lineup. This is where the Budweiser commercials get their true charm, with the introduction of Spot, the wagon’s famous right-hand man, or should I say dog. The Budweiser family cleverly creates a unique relationship between dog and horse, one that triumphs over even the greatest of odds.
Discouraged and broken down, Hank is approached by the energetic and driven Spot, who begins to train him in preparation for next year’s auditions. From workouts in the pouring rain to pulling full cargo train cars, Hank and Spot build a relationship that is sure to bring a tear to anyone’s eye. As the time comes, Hank and Spot are shown proudly alongside the 2008 Budweiser Team, insinuating that if you put enough effort into anything, nothing is impossible.
7. The Budweiser Football Commercial
You can’t be a Super Bowl Commerical without the occasional comedic reference to the sport itself, right? Well, Budweiser made sure to take care of this stereotype right off the bat, with the main premise of the ad being the game. But if you in any way thought this deterred them from featuring their best actors, you’ll be glad to be wrong. Anyone can play the game of football, especially those with four white fluffy socks. That’s right, during their first year of commercialization, the Budweiser Clydesdales were introduced as the “team to beat,” as they swept the pasture/field with a brute and force that surely no human team could ever match. On the sidelines, stood two lone cowboys with a cold Bud in hand, admiring the muscular feat that is the Clydesdale horse. From intuitive passes and strategic moves to their dedication to the game, these horses were no joke. Their monstrous hoofs and strong hindquarters truly made them the perfect quarterbacks.
6. The American Dream
The Budweiser commercials just aren’t made complete without their famous tear-jerking shorts, giving new light to the work behind the making of their great American lager. In 2006, one of their first truly heartfelt commercials aired and with it, created a new following of consumers dedicated to the stories of the Budweiser horses. In this ad, a young and courageous Clydesdale foal is shown peaking around the hall of fame barn, where the great Budweiser Clydesdales of the past are displayed. The youngster positions himself in the hung harness, perfectly attached to a beer wagon behind him, as he dreams of what life could be one day. Already tear-jerked, the little colt begins to actually pull the wagon as if all on his own, not knowing the team of elder Clydesdales behind him pushing. If you weren’t in tears already, you are by now. Brewed in the dreamland, the Budweiser family was able to recreate the idea of the American Dream for even the smallest of hoofs.
5. The Brotherhood Commercial
On the theme of heartfelt stories, the next few countdown commercials all follow the same plotline featuring the power of friendship. Debuted in 2013, this first commercial follows the behind-the-scenes story of a Budweiser trainer and his assigned Clydesdale colt. As the friends grow and learn together, we are introduced to a new relationship that no one was prepared for. But as all good things come to end, just as fast as the audience is introduced to this friendship we are faced with their inevitable separation when the Budweiser Clydesdale trailer comes to take away the not-so-little colt.
In years following, the two are finally shown in the same place, where the reunion of the century takes place as the colt triumphantly gallops across New York streets to rejoice in the arms of his former trainer. A tear-jerker for sure, this ad reminds us that while life may change and waver, we should never forget our roots.
4. The Budweiser Puppy Love Commercial.
In the year following the triumphal reunion of horse and trainer, these friends are introduced to a new character prone to adventure. In this 2014 commercial, we are introduced to the fresh-to-the-world lab puppy who just can’t seem to keep away from his favorite Clydesdale. Despite multiple attempts to re-home the puppy, he is ultimately saved by his Clydesdale friends in a dramatic horse-to-car chase, ending in the proud moment captured as the young pup leads his new friends back to his rightful home. Let’s just hope our trustee trainer is alright with the addition of a new family member.
3. The Lost Dog
In the third chapter of this audience-pleasing story, we are faced with the truth that our little pup has lost his way, leaving behind his friends at the Budweiser barn. During this 2015 commercial, the Budweiser duo of horse and trainer are shown in a frantic effort to recover their lost pup, leaving the audience in an unshakeable sense of worry. As the tearful ad comes to an emotional end, our little pup is shown facing the biggest challenge yet; a wolf. Before our worrisome brains can assume the worst, the thundering hoofs of the Budweiser Clydesdales come to the rescue. Once again, we can rest easy knowing that our favorite Budweiser trio is together at last.
2. The Wind Never Felt Better
Following the tragic environmental events of 2019, the Budweiser family released a commercial highlighting the importance of the great planet earth. From the tragic fires in Australia, California, and the Amazon to the much-needed involvement of climate change in weekly politics, the world was reeling from a year of controversial hardship. While their commercial was only a small drop in the ocean, it demonstrated a side of their corporation that had not been previously showcased. Centered around the simplicity of the value of good air, Spot the Dalmatian is shown enjoying a Sunday drive on the Budweiser wagon with the great Clydesdales leading the way into a brighter and cleaner future. This ad was quite literally a breath of fresh air for those citizens dealing with the time of political, social, and environmental conflict.
1. The Budweiser Donkey Commercial.
This is just such a sweet tale, again in the true Budweiser style it is about chasing your dreams no matter how far fetched they may seem. In this story the Hero is a little Donkey. Despite the fact that he is the wrong type of Equine for the job, he has one dream and that is to be a Budweiser Clydesdale. So, in true heroic style, he works hard and trains and eventually he manages to get an interview. That’s right, you guessed it, he lands a role with the Budweiser Team as the Budweiser Donkey! Although adorable and very funny there is a Moral to this Budweiser Tale; that is always believe in yourself, because when you do, things have a way of working in your favour, no matter what odds have been stacked against you.
The End
This Article by Jordan Bastian was originally published in the April 2021 Issue of Irish Sport Horse Magazine.