Within minutes, the video tore through social media, not as an ad, but as an emotional flashpoint. People weren’t debating marketing strategy—they were reliving memories, arguing over feelings, and struggling to explain why it hit so deep. While other companies waited patiently for game day, Budweiser hijacked the moment itself and turned silence, nostalgia, and restraint into its most powerful weapon.

Budweiser fans applaud brand’s new ‘American’ Super Bowl commercial years after controversy

As the beer brand celebrates 150 years of brewing in the U.S., it marked the milestone by releasing a new commercial, which will be shown on the biggest day of the NFL season. Called “American Icons,” the ad features two popular animals associated with both the U.S. and the Budweiser brand: a Clydesdale and a bald eagle, who become friends.

NFL fans brought to tears as 'best Budweiser Super Bowl commercial ever' gives them hope - The Mirror US

The clip begins as the young horse comes across a bald eagle chick that fell out of its nest. The two develop a friendship, supporting each other through rain or shine, and ultimately ending with the grown bald eagle spreading its wings on the horse’s back to look like a pegasus.

“Made of America,” the commercial ended with the brand’s slogan. “For 150 Years, This Bud’s For You.”

Many people commended Budweiser on the ad, gushing over how beautiful and patriotic they found it.

Clydesdales are a long-standing symbol of Budweiser (Getty Images)
Clydesdales are a long-standing symbol of Budweiser (Getty Images)

“Well done Budweiser. Welcome back to being American,” one person wrote on X, while another commenter agreed, writing, “If this doesn’t give you chills you can’t call yourself an American!!”

Other X users gushed over how well-done the Super Bowl ad was, calling it the best one yet.

“The best Budweiser commercial since the 2001 one!” one person wrote while another agreed, “Dear NFL, could we just cancel the Super Bowl halftime show and watch this repeatedly on the Jumbotron instead? I’ve never seen a better Budweiser commercial than this one.”

“I’ve watched this 30 times and cry every time,” wrote a third person on X. “You guys hit it out of the park with this one. Greatest of all time.”

Todd Allen, the SVP of Marketing for Budweiser at Anheuser-Busch, said of the ad in a press release, “As we celebrate Budweiser’s 150th anniversary and America’s 250th birthday, we knew we had to rise to the occasion in a way only Budweiser can.

“‘American Icons’ brings our heritage to life through powerful storytelling with the Budweiser Clydesdales and an American Bald Eagle. This year’s spot will leave fans awestruck and proud to enjoy a Budweiser as they celebrate our shared milestone moments.”

Viewer gushed over Budweiser’s upcoming Super Bowl ad featuring a Clydesdale and a bald eagle (Getty Images)
Viewer gushed over Budweiser’s upcoming Super Bowl ad featuring a Clydesdale and a bald eagle (Getty Images)

Budweiser’s newest advertisement comes years after the brand ignited controversy when it partnered with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney for a sponsored Instagram post. The company sent her a commemorative can of Bud Light in 2023, which sparked conservative backlash.

Supporters of transgender rights who felt the company abandoned Mulvaney were also angered.

Brendan Whitworth, the CEO of Bud Light’s parent company Anheuser-Busch InBev, later appeared on CBS Mornings to address the backlash. However, after claiming “Bud Light should be all about bringing people together,” he declined to answer directly when asked whether the campaign featuring Mulvaney was a mistake.

Mulvaney later spoke out in a TikTok, accusing the brand of failing to support her.

“For a company to hire a trans person and then not publicly stand by them is worse in my opinion than not hiring a trans person at all because it gives customers permission to be as transphobic and hateful as they want,” Mulvaney said at the time. “And the hate doesn’t end with me, it has serious and grave consequences for the rest of our community.”

An Anheuser-Busch spokesperson told CNN in response to Mulvaney’s statement that “we remain committed to the programs and partnerships we have forged over decades with organizations across a number of communities, including those in the LGBTQ+ community. The privacy and safety of our employees and our partners is always our top priority. As we move forward, we will focus on what we do best — brewing great beer for everyone and earning our place in moments that matter to our consumers.”

This heartfelt historical drama has quietly become one of the most inspiring postwar stories ever brought to the screen after introducing audiences to the remarkable journey of a former German prisoner of war who chose to remain in Britain and ultimately became one of English football’s greatest heroes. Facing public outrage, suspicion, and painful memories of the war, he gradually earns the trust of an entire city through humility, compassion, extraordinary courage, and unforgettable performances on the football pitch. Many viewers believe it stands among the finest true-story sports dramas ever made, praising its outstanding performances, emotional storytelling, and timeless message about forgiveness, reconciliation, and the power of humanity to overcome hatred
After returning from a business trip, I discovered that my fiancé, Harrison, was secretly learning to make handmade pasta for his new assistant, even though he had ignored my preference for noodles throughout our eight-year relationship. On my birthday, he completely forgot the occasion, refused to share a simple bowl of noodles with me, and kept protecting his assistant—who had even stolen my designer heels…
This emotionally powerful wartime drama has quietly earned a devoted following after viewers discovered its unforgettable blend of breathtaking aerial combat, lifelong friendship, heartbreaking romance, and the forgotten sacrifices of the Czech pilots who escaped Nazi occupation to fight alongside the Royal Air Force during World War II. Some fans call it one of the greatest aviation films ever made