UPDATE: This year’s commercial featuring the Budweiser Clydesdales has been released on YouTube. Watch it now!
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
You don’t have to be a fan of football—or beer, for that matter—to enjoy Anheuser Busch’s annual Super Bowl offering. For the 2014 game, which airs on Feb. 2 on Fox, Anheuser Busch, makers of Budweiser, have confirmed that the popular Clydesdales will star in a new commercial, and they will be accompanied by one adorable puppy.
The Clydesdales will also play a supporting role in another Anheuser-Busch spot, titled “A Hero’s Welcome.” A preview of that ad has been released on YouTube.
Super Bowl ads are an unusual piece of American culture. While many TV viewers utilize DVRs or the mute button to avoid consuming commercials during most of their favorite shows, plenty of people are quick to proclaim that the ad breaks are the best part of football’s championship game. Because of the huge viewership of the Super Bowl, companies invest a lot of creative and financial resources into creating memorable ads that debut during the game. Ad spots are said to run at around $4 million, so companies want to make a big impact with their 30 or 60 second time slot.
The Clydesdales utilized in Budweiser’s ads are a part of the company’s long history. The iconic hitch first appeared in 1933 to celebrate the end of prohibition in the U.S. Since then, they’ve appeared in parades and events, and since 1986, in high-profile ads during the Super Bowl.
There were rumors that the Clydesdales would have a downsized role in the beer company’s image after Anheuser-Busch was acquired by multinational brewing company InBev in 2008. When Anheuser-Busch said that the Clydesdales would not appear at all during the 2010 game, fans protested. Ultimately, Anheuser-Busch let its Facebook fans vote on one of three ads that would appear as part of the company’s campaign during the Super Bowl, and the Clydesdales won. They remain a fan favorite today.
This year’s new Clydesdale ad for the Super Bowl was announced earlier this month in a press release from Anheuser-Busch.
“The Budweiser Clydesdales are an icon of the brand and have become an icon of the Super Bowl as well,” said Budweiser Vice President Brian Perkins. “These majestic horses represent the values of the brand and universal values of trust, quality and nobility that appeal to audiences of all ages.”
According to the release, the ad will showcase the connections between the animals at the company’s breeding farm, Warm Springs Ranch. Don Jeanes, the actor who portrayed the Clydesdale trainer in last year’s much-loved “Brotherhood” ad, will reprise his role and introduce a new star in a 10-week-old puppy.
This year won’t be the first time that canine actors have joined the equine stars for a Budweiser commercial in the Super Bowl. The 1999 “Separated at Birth” spot showcased the Clydesdales’ Dalmatian companions.
Click on the images below to view some of Budweiser’s Clydesdale ads from past Super Bowls, then scroll down to vote for your favorite in our poll. Don’t see your favorite here? Tell us which one you loved in the comments section.
 2013: Brotherhood |  2010: Fence |
 2009: Circus |  2009: Generations |
 2009: Fetch |  2008: Rocky |
 2006: American Dream |  2004: Donkey |
Last years ad will be a hard act to follow. But you have many great ads, Please never forget to include the horses!!!
As a farmer, this commercial is dear to heart. Who sings the background music? The voice sounds familiar.
They are all “treasures”, but my computer would not let me view them. Love Them!! So much hard work goes into the movies.
Denny, The song is ‘Let Her Go’ by Passenger
I just love the Clydsdales, please never take them away from the Super Bowl, as a matter of fact maybe you could make commercials in between the Bowls. I know it is expensive but so many people enjoy them so much. I’m 66 yrs. old and I just think they are the most majestic animals on earth. You are to be commended for the care and love you give to them each and every day. My dream wold be to come and see them at their facility where you keep them however I know that is not possible so I will settle for tv and the Internet. Thanks for listening.
Just seen the new 2014 Budweiser Super Bowl commercial with the puppy. It has to be the best one ever!!!! Hoda and Kathy Lee previewed it on the Today show.
Just saw the sneak peak of 2014 “Puppy Love” on The Today Show. Great one!! I love the part where the puppy licks “Clydes” nose! Its hard to choose a favorite!! I love the Clydesdale Horses. And I love the commercials. ATTN: BUDWEISER…..Please be sure to ALWAYS have a commercial in the Super Bowl! Its an American Tradition now!! Have a great day.
This magnificent horse is my favorite icon, and this commercial truly depicts the gentleness and warmhartedness of the breed
This magnificent horse is my favorite icon, and this commercial truly depicts the gentleness and warmhartedness of the breed
It’s very difficult to vote for just one, I have always been in love with these horses. I grew up with horses, but these guys are totally amazingly beautiful and smart. Would love to visit their ranch.
LOVE IT!!! SO DARN CUTE!
Omg it brought tears to my eyes! The best bud commercial yet!!! The only thing that would make it better is if the man and women would get together at the end.
Another tear jerker! Love it! But… 2013 still my favorite!!
AWWWW!!!! 😀 Budweiser makes the best commercials ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Extremely cute ad! The only thing that would have made the commercial a better winner, would be to replace the puppy with a Dalmation. The Clydesdales and Dalmations have been Best Buds sinc the beginning! I hope the company won’t replace the Dalmation that rides on the wagons, with a different breed of dog!U6
all of your commercials are great..the 2001? commercial of the horses bowing at the trade center was the best one of all time i still cry when i see it. you all are the best!!!!
Awesome! Budweiser has created another fantastic commercial that really gets to your heart! Thank you so much each year for featuring the dedication and love of animals.
love love love the new ad, you guys are the best. this will be best ad for superbowl
The best Budweiser Clydesdale commercial and possibly the best ad ever was the tribute to 9/11, when the horse bent down to the ground in NYC.
The new one is so cute. I must agree with Michelle. The one with them bowing at the trade centers and the remake later were the very best. I cry every time I see them too. Thanks for making these!
I just loved it
i can’t pick i love them all, i saw them in Georgia last fall AWESOME.<3
Can’t see Brotherhood!!
I love all the Clydesdales commercials and it was hard to pick. But someone else said and I agree with. The Trade Center one where the Clydesdales bow is the biggest tear jerky and awesome. I picked Brotherhood cause I cry happy tears at that one.
Awe…. The new commercial is so cute, but I think my favorite is “Seperated at Birth”. I just love that one! GO BRONCOS!
The puppy and horse are too cute!
My all time favorite is the Budweiser Clydesdale tribute to the World Trade Center. Absolutely awesome!!! Only saw it once on whatever Superbowl it aired and I had tears in my eyes.
What a beautiful commercial, love can be found no matter who or what you are.
I have to agree with Kathy about the tribute to 9/11 was the best whenever it aired I think I have seen it several times but I love all the Budweiser commercials
liked it
I thought the article was very interesting and enlightening. I find the Clydesdale commercials are what American is all about. They are done with class, have a great message, and are heartwarming. I truly believe they are the best commercials out there! They set the bar for all others.
I think your newest one is the best! There is always such love in your commercials.
That was so cute.
It took my breath away beautiful
They are all good, my fav is a toss up between the 9/11 tribute and the one were they are playing football and kick for the point after( they usually go for 2 points)
Oh, I love it!!! I bet it will bring tears to everyone’s eyes. Another Winner!!
Great! Who can resist puppies and horses?
Wonderful- what more can one say!!!
Absolutely one of the very best they’ve done…I love all of their Superbowl commercials, I especially loved that one they did honoring our heroes of 9-11. They aired it for Superbowl but was never used again as far as I know.
KUDOS to the Budweiser folks!
I Love this new video! It’s Great! Can’t wait to see it again! Thank You so Much! I Love how all the horses go after the car to get the puppy! 🙂
This is the best Budweiser Clydesdale Ad ever! It really touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. It does a wonderful job of promoting adoptions of puppies vs. purchasing them, but also highlights the love that can be found by animals (inlcuding us humans) that are very different from one another!
I applaud Budweiser for making this ad and hope they continue to inspire us with the beautiful Clydesdales in stories of friendship and love.
This is my favorite thus far. I really tugged at the heartstrings and made me cry. Love the music and the imagery. Thank you Bud for making a heartfelt commercial.
Pulled my heart strings with tears in my eyes BEAUTIFULLY DONE BUDWEISER. My favorite beer my favorite commercials. Keep up the great work
I just loved this new commercial! Of course, I love them all. Whoever creates Budweiser commercials for the Super Bowl is a genius!
Scenes of Scotland, bagpipes, and horses. I can’t think of any better combination unless it’s to add scenes of Ireland!
Good article and always wonderful commercials. Hope Budweiser always has the Clydesdales.
That one will start the tears flowing!
I am a professional pet sitter and I own several Golden Retrievers. Can’t tell if the puppy in this commercial is a Golden or a Lab, but I still think it’s GREAT!!
I take care of horses, too.
Well done!!!!!
My favorite was the streaker
I loved it all, especially the new commercial with the beautiful horses and sweet puppy!
I liked them all but Fetch took my vote!
I loved the ad with the puppy and the horse who were best friends! Cute!!!!
This commercial made me cry when I first saw it.
The person who put this marvelous presentation deserves a case a Bud! How can one chose one. Three I laughed out loud( circus, fetch and donkey) and the rest left a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Sorry, I can’t pick one!
Great article…wish someone would make a DVD of all the Clydesdale commericals etc.. know many people who would buy it.
It’s like having kids, you love them all, there is no one favorite. And so refreshing, easy going, relaxed, commercials to look forward to. Thanx, I love them.
I absolutely love the commercials that strike a chord in my heart and brings me to tears. Thanks, Budweiser. Keep my tears flowing cause I like it!
that commercial is great! I love it!
I love all the Budweiser-Clydesdale ads! There are no bad ones! My personal favorite is Puppy Adoption! I watched it over & over! I also loved the beautiful Clydesdale’s playing football! Clydesdales are iconic & so is Budweiser! The only beer I drink!! Keep the fabulous ads coming,best ads ever!They are better than the Superbowl!!
I love all the Bud commercials, but the ones with the lab puppies really strike home! I’ve been a lab owner for almost 40 years. Love them puppies!
Oh for sure, the lab puppy and Clydesdales win my vote! Can’t wait for the 2016 Super Bowl new commercial!
where are the horses????
the commercial that I really liked was not here for the vote, it’s the one where the puppy got lost but found his way home to be saved from the wolf by the horses.