A wonderful behind-the-scenes experience with the famous Budweiser Clydesdales
If you're visiting the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in St. Louis and enjoy horses, I highly recommend the Budweiser Clydesdale VIP Experience. While both the standard brewery tour and this VIP experience include a visit to the famous Clydesdale stable, this tour spends considerably more time with the horses and gives visitors a much more personal experience. The tour begins inside the beautiful Clydesdale barn, where everyone gathers in the center while the guide shares the history of the Budweiser Clydesdales and explains how they became one of the most recognizable advertising symbols in the world. The guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about both the history and the horses. From there, we were escorted into the tack room, where beautifully maintained harnesses and equipment are displayed. As an added bonus, guests are invited to choose a complimentary beverage from a cooler located inside the room before continuing the tour. The highlight of the experience comes next. We were taken to the wash rack located between the barn and the paddock, where we met Alicia (trainer)and RJ (clydesdale). The trainer was outstanding, taking plenty of time to explain the horses' care, training, personalities, and daily routines while answering everyone's questions. It was obvious how much the staff cares for these beautiful animals. RJ (the Clydesdale) was every bit as impressive as you would imagine. Despite its enormous size, it was incredibly calm and gentle. One thing I especially appreciated was that the staff never rushed anyone. They patiently allowed every visitor to take as many photographs as they wanted with the horse, making the experience feel relaxed and personal. read more