They’re Back! Budweiser Clydesdales Make Return to Super Bowl LVI
By: Brittany Bevis
Equestrians and dog-lovers rejoice! After Anheuser-Busch elected to sit out the Super Bowl in 2021, for the first time in 37 years, in a show of support for COVID-19 vaccine awareness, Budweiser is back with a commercial featuring their most beloved icon- the Clydesdale.
A new 60 second spot entitled, “A Clydesdale’s Journey,” follows a Clydesdale as it suffers an injury, receives veterinary treatment, and overcomes obstacles on the road to recovery. Along the way, the horse is accompanied by a loyal dog that watches over his friend and provides support.
According to Budweiser, the story is meant as a metaphor to represent what America has endured over the past few years. “While America has faced numerous hurdles throughout its history, the steadfastness of the American spirit continues to propel the country to recover from hardship, stronger than ever.”
The spot was directed by Academy Award-winner, Chloé Zhao, who connected with the message. “We all fall down in life, and the journey to healing is often painful, long and solitary,” she says. “To tell a story of perseverance, hope and friendship through the lens of the beloved Clydesdales really resonated with me.”
The commercial is set to an arrangement of Gary Clark Jr.’s live rendition of the national anthem, and the setting is the American west. The story concludes with the Clydesdale running off into the distance with the message, “Down Never Means Out.”
The Budweiser Clydesdales have been featured in Anheuser-Busch’s television ads since the 1950s, and they made their first appearance in the Super Bowl in 1975. Also incredible popular were two series of commercials featuring lab puppies, as well as Dalmatians.
Click on the links below to watch some of the best Clydesdale commercials through the years.
- 9/11 20th Anniversary- Respect
- Rocky
- Sheep Streaker
- Christmas
- Compilation From 1975 to Today
- 2006- Teamwork
- 2010- Circus
- 2013- Brotherhood
- 2014 Best Buds
- 2015- Lost Dog
- 2019- Change is in the Air
“With this Super Bowl spot, our goal was to highlight the perseverance and determination of the country and depict that by coming together, we can grow and move forward stronger than before,” says Daniel Blake, Group VP of Marketing, Budweiser & Value at Anheuser-Busch.
Click below to check out the commercial for Super Bowl LVI.
