Budweiser Gives Clydesdales The Holidays Off [VIDEO]

I'm a sentimental softy when it comes to the holidays, and I love the classic Christmas TV commercials. It always felt like the holiday season when those Clydesdales would be pulling the sleigh on a snowy night in the classic Budweiser TV commercials, but apparently the ponies have been given Christmas off. What?? How could they?

Here's the story according to The St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

"NEW YORK • Budweiser is putting its Clydesdales out to pasture for the holidays.

The country's No. 3 beer brand said the horses will not play a role in its traditional advertising for the season, although the company said Monday they will be featured in spots promoting responsible drinking.

The change comes as Budweiser's share of the U.S. beer market has declined since hitting its peak in 1988. According to Beer Marketer's Insights, Budweiser had 7.6 percent of the market last year, down from 14.4 percent a decade ago. The erosion has been the result of the growing popularity of light and craft beers, said Eric Shepard, executive editor of the industry tracker.

"You look around, and we have this huge group of young drinkers, almost half of them have never tried the brand," Shepard said."

Oh come on! Take a look at this vintage Budweiser Clydesdale Holiday TV Commercial and tell me that it doesn't convey the feeling of the holidays, no matter what age you are.

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