World renowned Budweiser Clydesdales to appear at museum

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• World-famous Budweiser Clydesdales to appear at museum from Nov. 27-Dec. 2 • 8-horse hitch will be harnessed and hitched to the famous beer wagon on Sunday, Dec. 2 from noon-2 p.m. • Admission is free

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The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, the symbol of quality and tradition for Anheuser-Busch since 1933, are scheduled to make an appearance from Nov. 27-Dec. 2, 2012, at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (Courtesy photo)
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World renowned Budweiser Clydesdales to appear at museum

Posted 11/13/2012 Updated 12/3/2012

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by Laura Elking
Heidelberg Distributing

11/13/2012 - DAYTON, Ohio -- The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, the symbol of quality and tradition for Anheuser-Busch since 1933, are scheduled to make an appearance in the area Nov. 27, 2012 through Dec. 2, 2012 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

The Clydesdales will be available for the public to visit at the museum on the following dates and times:

Tuesday, Nov. 27 - 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 28 - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 29 - 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 30 - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 1 - 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 2 - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The eight-horse hitch will be harnessed and hitched to the famous red beer wagon on Sunday, Dec. 2 from noon-2 p.m. The "Gentle Giants," as they are often referred to, are visiting several military bases throughout the United States to thank our troops for all they do to serve and protect our country.

The Clydesdales' appearance in Dayton is one of hundreds made annually by the traveling hitches. Canadians of Scottish descent brought the first Clydesdales to America in the mid-1800s. Today, the giant draft horses are used primarily for breeding and show.

Horses chosen for the Budweiser Clydesdale hitch must be at least three years of age, stand approximately 18 hands -- or six feet -- at the shoulder, weigh an average of 2,000 pounds, must be bay in color, have four white legs, and a blaze of white on the face and black mane and tail. A gentle temperament is very important as hitch horses meet millions of people each year.

A single Clydesdale hitch horse will consume as much as 20-25 quarts of feed, 40-50 pounds of hay and 30 gallons of water per day.

Each hitch travels with a Dalmatian. In the early days of brewing, Dalmatians were bred and trained to protect the horses and guard the wagon when the driver went inside to make deliveries.

The Budweiser Clydesdales can be viewed at the Anheuser-Busch breweries in St. Louis, Mo.; Merrimack, N.H.; and Ft. Collins, Colo. They also may be viewed at Grant's Farm in St. Louis and at Warm Springs Ranch, the 300-plus acre Clydesdale breeding farm located near Boonville, Mo.

NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information, contact Heidelberg Distributing -- Laura Elking, (937) 470-4024 or Laura.Elking@heidelbergdistributing.com, or John Gevat, (937) 478-2838 or John.Gevat@heidelbergdistributing.com.