The King of Beers Budweiser Clydesdales have been one of the most recognized symbols of the advertising world for over 75 years. The Budweiser Clydesdales were a gift from August Busch, Jr. to his father August Anheuser Busch in 1933 to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition. Eight massive Clydesdales pranced through St. Louis carrying the first post-Prohibition case of beer from the Anheuser Busch Brewery on a beautiful red beer wagon. From that moment, the Clydesdale became the icon of Budweiser beer.
A Budweiser Clydesdale stands six feet tall (18 hands) at the withers, has a blaze of white on its face, four white stocking feet, with a reddish-brown coat and black mane and tail. All the Budweiser Clydesdales are at least four-year-old geldings weighing around 2,000 pounds. A Clydesdale can eat over 20 quarts of whole grains, 50-60 pounds of hay, and 30 gallons of water a day.
Several hitches of Clydesdale teams travel the US year round. They can be seen at sporting events, parades, and other special events. I had the good fortune of observing a team get ready for a parade recently. The handlers move like clockwork, working on one horse at a time. They’re unloaded, brushed, fitted with an elaborate harness, and moved into position on the hitch attached to the Budweiser beer wagon.
I could feel the energy from the horses, and they were ready! Once the police escort arrived, the newest member of the hitch, Brewer, a 12 week old Dalmatian pup, was handed up to the drivers and off they all marched down the street, hooves clacking and harnesses jingling to the beat of the Budweiser song, “Here Comes the King”!
