Budweiser Clydesdales make bar appearance in downtown Lexington
The Budweiser Clydesdales made a full-hitch appearance in downtown Lexington to deliver beer and a scholarship.
The Clydesdale’s kicked off a tour ahead of Memorial to celebrate Budweiser’s 150th birthday, as well as a 16-year partnership with Folds of Honor — a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to fallen or disabled U.S. service members and first responders.
“Beginning this summer, Budweiser and the Budweiser Clydesdales will bring the mission of Folds of Honor directly to communities nationwide, showing up at local events, state fairs, and sporting events to celebrate service, spark local pride, and shine a spotlight on the impact of Folds of Honor,” a news release from Allison Worldwide said.
Eight Clydesdale horses lined up in front of Two Fisted Willie’s, Salooniversity and Big Daddy Liquors to deliver a case of Budweiser beer. The horses downed an elegant black leather and polished brass harness that extends to a point towards the sky, roses that intertwined into their braids and black leather bridles that included blinders to shield their peripheral vision.
The horses traveled between each stop with Hitch-drivers Brady Jensen and Drew Wilson steering the full-hitch atop the Budweiser carriage. A Dalmatian named Bud sat atop the carriage as well next to Jensen and Wilson.
The three stops are each wholesale partners with Anheuser-Busch.
“They rolled through with the horses and the carriage and actually delivered us a case of Budweiser,” said David Howard, general manager of Salooniversity. “It was really cool.”
Mathew McGee, a University of Kentucky graduate with a major in psychology, received the $10,000 scholarship from Folds of Honor. He, alongside his family, were not able to attend the event, but their check will be delivered to them in the coming week.
Johnny McGee, Mathew McGee’s father, served in the U.S. Navy for over 20 years and worked multiple technician roles until he became a command master chief, Senior Account Executive for Allison Worldwide Evan Hardcore said in an email to the Lexington Herald-Leader. Johnny McGee was last stationed in Memphis until he became disabled in the line of duty.
Anheuser-Busch and wholesale partners have donated $37 million to Folds of Honor, which has funded 7,400 scholarships, a news release from Allison Worldwide said. In celebration of the 16-year partnership, Budweiser will continue to donate $1.50 for every barrel equivalent of Budweiser and Bud-Light sold in bars and restaurants nationwide — up to $1.5 million — from May 1, 2026, to Nov. 30, 2026.
The horses finished off their appearance making three laps in front of the strip of bars and stores and into the street. Families gathered to take photos and videos of the horses trotting in unison.
Horse appearances also occurred at other stops in Kentucky. On Thursday, a horse appeared at Thursday Night Live in downtown Lexington, and on Saturday, a horse appeared at a Meijer’s in Richmond, Kentucky.
On Sunday, a horse will appear at the Liquor Barn in Danville, Kentucky, at 2900 Danville Bypass from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.