Anheuser-Busch's Warm Springs Ranch Opens for Season

On Saturday, March 22, Anheuser-Busch will open the doors of Warm Springs Ranch, the Budweiser Clydesdales' breeding farm, for its sixth season. The farm will give visitors the exclusive opportunity to get up close and personal with the Budweiser Clydesdales where they live.

Warm Springs Ranch has had a prominent role in Budweiser's Super Bowl commercials for the past two years. This year's top-ranked Budweiser Super Bowl commercial, “Puppy Love”, was inspired by real-life interactions handlers at the ranch have seen between the Budweiser Clydesdales and golden Labrador puppies. In addition, the incredibly popular 2013 Budweiser Super Bowl commercial “Brotherhood” was partially filmed at Warm Springs Ranch.

New this year, Warm Springs Ranch is bringing a familiar fixture from St. Louis to the farm in Boonville. The 15-foot, 1,600-pound classic red “W” from the historic Budweiser neon sign, previously perched on top of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in St. Louis, will now be displayed just inside the main gates at Warm Springs Ranch.

Guests can expect a memorable and unique Budweiser Clydesdales experience when visiting Warm Springs Ranch, including a chance to see Hope, the young star of “Brotherhood”. Now just over one year old, Hope has made her home at Warm Springs Ranch among 70 other Budweiser Clydesdales. During the 2014 foaling season, the farm expects more than 25 baby Clydesdales to be born, including more than 20 this spring.

 “The Budweiser Clydesdales are a worldwide symbol of Anheuser-Busch's heritage and commitment to quality,” said John Soto, supervisor of Warm Springs Ranch. “Being able to give people unparalleled access to these majestic animals is a one-of-a-kind experience only Budweiser can provide. We look forward to welcoming families from all over our region to get an insider's look at where these beloved animals are born, train, and live.”

The farm sits on 300-plus acres of land, allowing the Budweiser Clydesdales plenty of room to exercise and roam. Warm Springs Ranch features a 25,000-square-foot breeding barn with a veterinary lab and 10 pastures, each with a customized, walk-in shelter and free-flowing water dispensers. Dedicated staff is on-site around the clock to ensure the baby Clydesdales are welcomed into the world in comfort and safety.

“This year marks the 81st anniversary of one of the most iconic symbols for Anheuser-Busch, the Budweiser Clydesdales,” said Jeff Knapper, general manager for Clydesdales operations. “The Clydesdales have been an integral part of Anheuser-Busch's heritage since 1933, and their strength and majesty symbolize Budweiser's quality and team spirit. It is truly special to see how these magnificent horses spend their early years and later grow to become one of the world's most recognized animals.”

Warm Springs Ranch offers twice-daily tours every day except for Wednesday, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The tour costs $10 per person and lasts one-and-a-half hours. In addition, the ranch offers a VIP tour once a day, allowing guests to climb aboard a custom-built vehicle to enjoy a private excursion on the 300-plus acres and meet with a Budweiser Clydesdale handler. This VIP tour also includes time in the pastures with the Budweiser Clydesdales, plus samples of Anheuser-Busch beers for adult guests 21 and older at the end of the tour and a photo opportunity with a world famous Budweiser Clydesdales. A VIP tour costs $500 and can accommodate up to 16 guests. To reserve a tour spot (reservations are required) or for more information, visit www.warmspringsranch.com.

In 2013, Warm Springs Ranch welcomed more than 24,000 visitors from around the world, up more than 33 percent from the year before, and also welcomed 32 baby Clydesdales.