Budweiser's Super Bowl Commercial: A Bald Eagle and a Clydesdale's Unlikely Friendship
Embrace the Unlikely Friendship:
Budweiser's latest Super Bowl commercial is a heartwarming tale of an unlikely friendship between a young Clydesdale pony and a baby bald eagle. Set to the classic rock anthem "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, the ad celebrates Budweiser's 150th anniversary and America's 250th birthday. But here's where it gets controversial...
A Controversial Interpretation:
Some viewers might interpret the commercial as a subtle nod to the idea that America is a land of opportunity, where even an eagle and a horse can become lifelong friends. However, others might see it as a reflection of the nation's current political climate, where division and hostility are on the rise.
The Clydesdales' Journey:
The Clydesdales have become a Super Bowl favorite, and their appearance in 2026 marks their 48th overall in the advertising roster of the gridiron spectacle. But the question remains: do consumers still see the Clydesdales as a symbol of Budweiser's good horse sense, or is it time for a change?
A Historical Perspective:
Budweiser has long used the Super Bowl to tie its stately Clydesdale horses to the national mood. In 2002, the Clydesdales helped a nation heal in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. In 2017, Anheuser-Busch ran a spot featuring a young Adolphus Busch making his way to St. Louis from Germany and encountering hostile remarks, including "You don’t look like you’re from here."
The Clydesdales' Appeal:
The Clydesdales' association with Budweiser dates back to 1933, when August A. Busch, Jr. and Adolphus Busch III surprised their father with a six-horse Clydesdale hitch to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition. The horses evoke memories of beer delivery by wagon. Today, Anheuser-Busch operates three traveling teams, which spend about 300 days each year traveling across the U.S.
The Super Bowl Commercial:
In the 60-second commercial, the young Clydesdale pony becomes lifelong friends with the baby bald eagle, and the two grow up together to the strains of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird." At one point, the horse jumps over an obstacle as the bird, riding on his back, spreads its wings, making the animal look like the mythical Pegasus.
A Polarized Audience:
The commercial will air as a broad but polarized audience of American consumers tunes into what is typically the biggest media event of the year. The nation has been focused on the treatment of people in Minnesota, where officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have killed two individuals who did not appear in video footage to pose any immediate threat to them. U.S. consumers are also grappling with the effects of White House tariffs on the economy and U.S. saber-rattling aboard around Greenland and Venezuela.
The Question for Consumers:
Anheuser-Busch will have to see how viewers react to its latest ad to determine if consumers think the Clydesdales still present good horse sense or represent a horse of a different color.
Thought-Provoking Questions:
What do you think of Budweiser's latest Super Bowl commercial? Do you see it as a celebration of America's diversity and opportunity, or do you think it's a reflection of the nation's current political climate? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
