Loyal Budweiser fans know all about the friendship between the Budweiser Clydesdales and their puppy pal. They’ve been BFFs since 2014, but the Clydesdales have been spending the COVID-19 pandemic social distancing. Now, these mascots are getting a chance to see their old friends again in Budweiser’s new spot “Reunited With Buds.”
Looking Back at “Puppy Love”
When did this friendship begin? During Super Bowl XLVIII, Budweiser introduced a Labrador retriever puppy to the Clydesdale farm. In the “Puppy Love” spot, the pup and Clydesdales became instant friends.
Their respective owners did their best to keep the puppy and horses apart — likely because they lived on separate farms. Eventually, someone who knew the puppy’s owner decided to pack up and take the dog along to move out of the area. The Clydesdale horses didn’t want to say goodbye to their friend. They galloped together and surrounded the car to keep the puppy from moving away. At the end of “Puppy Love,” the Labrador retriever and Clydesdales enjoy playing together as their owners watch over them and enjoy a few beers together.
“Reunited With Buds”
The world looks very different in 2020 than it did in 2014. Budweiser’s latest commercial “Reunited With Buds” has two storylines: one of old friends reuniting and the United States slowly phasing to reopening bars amid COVID-19.
The Clydesdales have long anticipated the day they could see their puppy pal again. The spot from Anomaly Canada is set to Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” as the Clydesdales race through farm fields, city sidewalks, and beaches for a safe reunion with the pup.
Does some of the footage look familiar to you? Due to the pandemic and social distancing guidelines, no new footage was filmed for the commercial. Instead, the spot is made up of footage from old Budweiser commercials including the aforementioned “Puppy Love.”
The commercial’s YouTube description notes that in addition to drinking responsibly, it’s important for all Buds to be responsible in their reunions.
Closing out the spot is a message from Budweiser. “We can’t wait to see our buds. But when we do, let’s do it safely.”
As of March 2020, Anheuser-Busch has donated $5 million to support COVID-19 relief efforts in the United States. Funds went to the American Red Cross and helped to convert arenas and stadiums into temporary blood drive centers.
