The Budweiser Clydesdales
Circa 1933
The Budweiser Clydesdales in 1933 were first introduced to the public in St. Louis, Missouri and are a symbol of Budweiser and American history. August A. Busch, Jr. and Adolphus Busch III surprised their father, August A. Busch, Sr., with the gift of a six-horse Clydesdale hitch to commemorate the repeal of Prohibition of beer.
During the Clydesdales' early tour they delivered a case of beer to President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House. They toured New England and the Mid-Atlantic states and also visited NYC where they presented a case of Budweiser to former Governor Alfred E. Smith at the Empire State Building where they drew a crowd of thousands!
The Clydesdales are raised at Warm Springs Ranch near Boonville, Missouri and 150 miles west of St. Louis. The hitches travel to communities across the United States. A Dalmatian accompanies each hitch, representing the mascot that was introduced in 1950.
The Budweiser Clydesdales are a group of Clydesdales horses used for promotions and commericals by the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company. There are several "hitches" or teams of horses that travel around the United States and other countries that remain in their offical homes at the company headquarters at the Anheuser-Busch brewery complex in St. Louis, Missouri or at Merrimack, New Hampshire. At St. Louis, they are housed in an historic brick and stained glass stable built in 1885. There are eight horses driven at any one time, but ten horses are on each team to provide alternates for the hitch when needed. Clydesdales are also used as animal actors in television commericals for Budweiser beer, particularly in Super Bowl ads and the ever-popular Budwesiser ad during the holiday season filmed in the New England area. Using the Clydesdales in parades and advertising campaigns has been a very successful marketing display for Anheuser-Busch when these horses are seen pulling a restored turn-of-the-century beer wagon.
A hitch of Clydesdales pulled the City of St. Louis float, co-sponsored by Budweiser in the Tournament of Roses parade from 1954 to 2011. In 2014, the Clydesdales returned to the Rose Parade, this time pulling their beer wagon. The President of the Tournament of Roses rode on the beer wagon instead of the usual classic car.
The Tournament of Roses Parade
To properly prepare the Clydesdales for their appearances, a team of dedicated handlers oversees their care. Exper groomers travel on the road with the hitch at least 10 months out of the year. Another team oversees their diet. Each hitch horse will consume as much as 20 to 25 quarts of whole grains, minerals and vitamins, 50 to 60 pounds of hay and on a warm day up to 30 gallons of water! They stand 18 hands tall and weigh around 2,000 pounds. These horses were chosen to represent Anheuser-Busch due to their strong, iconic image associated with the beer brand. The horses large size and majestic appearance further contribute to this image. The large, powerful Clydesdale horses create a striking visual that is easily recognizable and associated with quality and tradition.
"Gentle Giants"
A Budweiser Clydesdale is worth at least $15,000 as they are highly trained horses with a rich history. Their origin is Scotland and life expectancy is 25-30 years. Anheuser-Busch owns a total of about 250 Clydesdales.
July 28, 2004
Dan Dalpra and Daughter, Deanna
Mayor Brian Dahlberg aboard the famous Budweiser Beer Wagon
It was a Budweiser Day!
The arrival of the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales in Bemus Point, New York was a moment of immense pride and excitement for our businesses, residents and community. Their majestic presence not only honored tradition and history, but also brought people together creating unforgettable memories while boosting local businesses. We are incredibly grateful to the Arthur R. Gren Company for making this speical visit possible and for their continued commitment to our community. Their efforts in bringing such a legendary experience to Bemus Point are truly appreciated, reinforcing the charm and vibrancy of our beloved town.
Dan Dalpra, Founder/CEO Italian Fisherman restaurant
www.anheuser-busch.com
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