Hi Puzzlers,
I just got the list of our best selling puzzles for 2009 and one of them, Stable Mates, got me wondering about the Budweiser Clydesdales and their Dalmatian sidekicks. We all recognize them immediately when we see them, even if we don’t drink beer, but what’s the story behind one of the best marketing mascots of our times?
It all began in 1933 after the repeal of Prohibition when August A. Busch Jr. gave his father a hitch of Clydesdales pulling a red, white and gold beer wagon. Mr. Busch Sr. immediately recognized the horses as an advertising tool.
Mr. Busch had the horses sent by train to New York City. Once in New York, the Clydesdales then went to New Jersey Newark Airport to pick up two cases of Budweiser beer which were given to Alfred Smith, former governor of New York. Mr. Smith was instrumental in the repeal of Prohibition.
This was the first stop of many as the Clydesdales began their tour of New England and the Middle Atlantic States. One of the most notable stops was to the White House, where a case of Budweiser was delivered to President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
In the 1950s Budweiser added the Dalmatians to the team. Budweiser chose the Dalmatian because of their long history with beer wagons. In the early days of brewing Dalmatians where sent to protect the horses and the wagon while the driver was inside making the delivery. Back then the dogs would run behind the wagons! Now the Dalmatians can be found seated next to the driver. Puppies are usually paired with mature dogs to learn the ropes and acclimate to the horses. This builds a strong bond between dog and horse. The dogs even sleep with the horses in the stables! They definitely look like best friends!
Happy Puzzling!
I just got the list of our best selling puzzles for 2009 and one of them, Stable Mates, got me wondering about the Budweiser Clydesdales and their Dalmatian sidekicks. We all recognize them immediately when we see them, even if we don’t drink beer, but what’s the story behind one of the best marketing mascots of our times?
It all began in 1933 after the repeal of Prohibition when August A. Busch Jr. gave his father a hitch of Clydesdales pulling a red, white and gold beer wagon. Mr. Busch Sr. immediately recognized the horses as an advertising tool.
Mr. Busch had the horses sent by train to New York City. Once in New York, the Clydesdales then went to New Jersey Newark Airport to pick up two cases of Budweiser beer which were given to Alfred Smith, former governor of New York. Mr. Smith was instrumental in the repeal of Prohibition.
This was the first stop of many as the Clydesdales began their tour of New England and the Middle Atlantic States. One of the most notable stops was to the White House, where a case of Budweiser was delivered to President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
In the 1950s Budweiser added the Dalmatians to the team. Budweiser chose the Dalmatian because of their long history with beer wagons. In the early days of brewing Dalmatians where sent to protect the horses and the wagon while the driver was inside making the delivery. Back then the dogs would run behind the wagons! Now the Dalmatians can be found seated next to the driver. Puppies are usually paired with mature dogs to learn the ropes and acclimate to the horses. This builds a strong bond between dog and horse. The dogs even sleep with the horses in the stables! They definitely look like best friends!
Happy Puzzling!
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