The 20 Absolute Best Super Bowl Liquor Commercials Of All Time, Ranked
Football fans around the United States each year gather to watch one of the most significant television events of the year: the Super Bowl. The event is so popular that it's a widely held belief that viewers' flushing habits during the big game can buckle a city's water supply. Though Snopes has broken that myth, the sheer fact that it's even a little bit believable speaks to the game's popularity.
Super Bowl parties are also an excellent excuse for friends and family to gather around the television and spend time together. Between the entertaining halftime show, exhibition of athleticism, tasty Super Bowl snacks, and superior commercials, there's seemingly something for everyone. And while we look forward to spinach artichoke dip and cheesecake bars, we love the Super Bowl for its memorable commercials. It's the one time of the year we may pay even more attention during those ad breaks than during the main event itself. These commercials are so excellent that many of them have launched viral advertising campaigns or even made us tear up. Who knew a story of a Clydesdale and puppy could cause us collectively to reach for the box of tissues?
20. Dos Equis' Most Interesting Man in the World (2006)
This Mexican beer has roots back to 1890 when, according to Dos Equis, Wilhelm Hasse founded Moctezuma Brewery and began brewing Siglo XX (today called Dos Equis Ambar) in 1897. The year 1983 brought Dos Equis Lager Especial to the shows of the United States, and by 2009, it had become a fast-growing import.
The Dos Equis "Most Interesting Man in the World" ad campaign honors an unnamed man who has done completely extraordinary and seemingly impossible feats. The narrator describes this man's many accomplishments and videos of such incidents play. In the end, the viewer meets this man (portrayed by Jonathan Goldsmith) known only as "The Most Interesting Man in the World" when then confesses that his preferred beer of choice is Dos Equis. This endorsement has a similar effect to that of a celebrity endorsement, but without the viewer previously knowing anything about this man who appears on television. This commercial is humorous and has a different approach than the typical beverage ads, which is why it's one of our favorites. While the Most Interesting Man in the World had his time in the sun, a younger actor eventually replaced Goldsmith, but the ads were never as successful.
19. Michelob Ultra's I Like Beer (2018)
In 2018's Super Bowl, Chris Pratt starred in a Michelob Ultra commercial. In this ad, Pratt participates in several sports, including running, swimming, weight lifting, golf, and yoga. It's all set against the song "I Like Beer," which Pratt sings as a feel-good drinking song. At the end of the ad, you see a slogan typing the message together: "Live fit. Live fun. Live Ultra." By pairing athleticism with a fun bar scene, Michelob Ultra aims to show viewers that this is a beer you can enjoy alongside a healthy lifestyle.
We enjoy any commercial that features a beloved celebrity like Chris Pratt, an actor we've enjoyed from several movies and television shows like "Parks and Rec" and the "Guardians of the Galaxy." As News 8000 explains, this is also Pratt's first commercial appearance, but he's undoubtedly an ideal fit for the ad's message since the star lost 60 pounds in preparation for his Star-Lord role in the "Guardians of the Galaxy" franchise. While we enjoyed this ad, it wasn't big enough to launch a massive campaign as others have.
18. Bud Light's Land of Loud Flavors (2022)
For an experience we call "sensory overload," look no further than Bud Light's "Land of Loud Flavors" commercial. In this somewhat bizarre commercial, Guy Fieri stars as the mayor of Flavortown and deems Bud Light's new Seltzer Hard Soda. In this ad, we get a good look into Flavortown and the extraordinary place it is.
Though this is a newer commercial, we think it will be remembered for how overwhelmingly fun it is. Going with many of the other Bud Light commercials, this one also has a light-hearted feel. However, there is a distinct difference between the goofy feel of the beer commercials as compared to the near absurdity present in this commercial. While that level of silliness is typically considered quite negative, in this case, it comes across as just oddball enough to be fun and well-suited for a Super Bowl spot.
17. Bud Light's Real Men of Genius (2003)
While Budweiser balances comedy and emotion in its commercials, Bud Light commercials are almost always comedic. For example, the series of advertisements focusing on the "Real Men of Genius" salutes interesting decisions people can make, like wearing too much cologne or donning a lousy toupee. Besides a video of a man in various scenes displaying his "genius," there is an audio track of an announcer mock celebrating the genius alongside a vaguely powerful, emotional music track. Dave Bickler of the band Survivor sings the commercial verses, so you may certainly recognize his voice from "Eye of the Tiger." The songs were so popular, recordings were even released.
The goal here is to show that Bud Light is for anyone who wants it. The ad itself is funny, so it also creates an excellent Super Bowl commercial. Plus, if the different versions of the ad are run throughout the game, viewers get to enjoy a series of videos, all connected by the same running joke. That said, we think Bud Light may have overplayed its own joke, and even these eventually became not quite as funny.
16. Hennessy's Major (2019)
Many beverage commercials place the product being advertised somewhere in the advertisement itself, but Hennessy takes a different approach with its "Major" ad. In this short, one-minute commercial, the viewer learns about an athlete named Marshal "Major" Turner, who became popular around the turn of the century. The commercial shares that along his journey of athleticism, he searched for a formidable opponent but never found one. This was his "wild rabbit." Vanity Fair explains that Hennessy's "wild rabbit" premise is a metaphor for your own will and drive to find and surpass success. The idea here is that the popular and legendary cognac company is constantly seeking its own formidable opponent but has yet to find its match.
This ad is one of our favorites because of how different it is in everything from the colors used and the effects to the fact that the whole thing acts as one big metaphor. It stands out because it's different, and though we love it, the message may get lost if not viewed with a discerning eye.
15. Heineken's The Run (2005)
If you've ever headed to the fridge for your favorite beverage only to find out that you're out of it, you understand the premise of this commercial. This experience is so very typical that it's a little funny to watch a massive celebrity like Brad Pitt experience the same disappointment. Heineken's ad follows Pitt as he realizes he is out of beer and tries to evade the paparazzi to retrieve a six-pack from the corner store. Due to his quick thinking, he is able to make it there and back without getting held up by photos and flashes.
With a celebrity appearance, this is a memorable Super Bowl commercial because people love seeing their favorite actors on screen in unexpected ways. His appearance with Heineken is a kind of endorsement that makes customers feel good about their purchase. It's one of our favorites because of the subtle heist and "Ocean's Eleven" feel from Pitt evading the paparazzi.
14. Cutwater Spirits' Here's to the Lazy Ones (2022)
There are plenty of different ways companies produce commercials that make excellent entertainment during the Super Bowl. Part of what makes these commercials different from ads you may watch regularly is how much more entertaining they are. That's part of what we love about Cutwater Spirits' ad. Throughout this commercial, the announcer salutes "The Lazy Ones" who work smarter, not harder. We see someone washing their car using sprinklers, plowing their driveway with a flame thrower, and even getting a drink delivered by a robot vacuum. The whole piece is cast in black and white, making the people in the ad's actions seem all the more legendary, even if they are doing rather silly things to avoid doing work. In fact, the only color throughout the commercial is on the cans of the Cutwater drinks.
Commercials like these are fun because watching people do odd things is enjoyable, and everyone can identify with the premise of doing less for better results. Cutwater's thesis is that choosing a canned cocktail over a homemade one might be lazy, but it's also smart.
13. Budweiser's Frogs (1995)
Before the Clydesdales had captured America's hearts, we were laughing at Budweiser's bullfrogs. In this 1995 commercial, three frogs sit in a swamp just off a pub with an illuminated Budweiser sign. In the water, one frog begins by croaking "Bud," another soon chimes in with "weis," and a final one adds the last syllable, "er." It takes a few times for them to finish the full word in succession, but they do get there.
This ad is memorable because it is one of the earliest of popular Super Bowl commercials. Its simple yet charming premise is fun to watch and has seemingly found a home in the collective American recollection as one of the best Super Bowl commercials ever. Perhaps this is no surprise considering the people behind the frogs. USA Today names Stan Winston's studio as the group that brought both these frogs and the dinosaurs from "Jurassic Park" to life.
12. Michelob Ultra's Happy (2021)
Like Budweiser, Michelob Ultra doesn't strictly rely on one emotion in commercials. The "Happy" ad spot presents more as a question than anything else. It aims to have viewers consider a great question of what it means to be truly happy, especially in the world of sports. "Happy" puts the ultimate result of a championship win against the joy of participating in the journey. The message here is to be present and never forget that the championship is "only worth it if you enjoy it."
This commercial also features many famous athletes, including Payton Manning and Serena Williams, among several others. If you're watching a Super Bowl, there's a good chance that seeing prominent athletes would please any viewer; perhaps that's why this commercial is one of the best. We also like the spin this commercial takes as it asks viewers to consider its profound question.
11. Bud Light's Dilly Dilly (2018)
This quirky and charming ad opens in a vaguely Renaissance castle setting where it seems a king and queen are enjoying a feast with their court. As you continue watching, people begin bringing up Bud Light packs in different sizes. After each, the king proclaims them a "true friend of the crown" and offers cheers with the phrase "dilly, dilly." After a couple of courtiers bring up their offerings, a third approaches the king with his offering, places it down, and explains that it is a spiced honey mead wine. Unlike the others, the king is not pleased with this offering and instead sends the man to the "pit of misery."
This commercial is a commentary on the rise of microbrews and unique liqueurs. The commercial seems to be saying that friends don't let friends drink beer which is not good. While some commercials encourage you to change it up, this particular Bud Light ad wants you to keep everything the same. This ad grew quite popular along with the odd, unexplained "dilly, dilly" chorus.
10. Stella Artois' Change Up The Usual (2019)
Stella Artois' advertisement stars the characters of Carrie Bradshaw from "Sex in the City" and The Dude of "The Big Lebowski." In this delightful ad, you see Bradshaw walk into a lounge in a fabulous outfit and order a drink that is anything but her typical. When the staff realizes a Cosmopolitan is not what she wants, a sudden spurt of confused chaos breaks out. The Dude walks in on this scene and orders the same drink Bradshaw had, a break from his standard White Russian.
The joy of this ad comes from the appearance of two wildly different but widely beloved actors, Jeff Bridges and Sarah Jessica Parker, reprising their famous roles. Then, when the two choose a different drink than usual, and it just so happens to be the same drink, it's clear that Stella Artois' message is that anyone can enjoy this beer.
9. Budweiser's Here Comes the King (1986)
Nothing quite captures the essence of the Super Bowl like the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales. These majestic horses, clomping through snow-laden trails and serene woodlands, have become nearly as synonymous with the Super Bowl as the gridiron action itself. This storied partnership trotted onto the Super Bowl scene in 1986, with Budweiser introducing its very first Clydesdale-centered Super Bowl advertisement.
The tone of this initial ad contrasts sharply with what we're accustomed to today. It kicked off with a vibe that was lighter and more upbeat. As the ad rolls, we see the Clydesdales cresting a hill, all set to the cheerful melody of "Here Comes the King." It's a tone that's playful and a bit goofy, a stark contrast to the emotionally charged and heartwarming narratives of Budweiser's more recent Clydesdale ads, often featuring adorable sidekicks like golden retrievers.
To be honest, seeing Budweiser revisit this original, sprightlier style would be a refreshing throwback. It would not only highlight the enduring legacy of the Clydesdales but also bring back a slice of nostalgia.
8. Budweiser's Whassup (2000)
Marketing Week dates Budweiser's original Whassup ad as having donned televisions between 1999 and 2002. This original ad features a group of friends greeting one another with the phrase "Whassup" in varying degrees of exaggeration. The ad primarily focuses on the friendship of the group, with the Budweiser (or "Bud," as the characters call it) playing a much more minor role. Instead, it appears as part of the character's life, but not a feature requiring obvious highlights. This narrow focus is interesting for commercial advertising such a product.
Sports fans love a good Budweiser commercial, and this ad hit something like viral status, even getting referenced in the pilot episode of "The Office" when Michel Scott and Dwight Schrute exchange the phrase. This phrase appears in both the American and British versions of the show. In 2018, the ad also came back with a partnership with Burger King. While the commercial did not have many appearances of the product itself, this is a great commercial because it struck such a chord with audiences and quickly found its way into the collective culture.
7. Budweiser's Brotherhood (2013)
When it comes to telling a great story, perhaps no beverage company does it better than Budweiser. One of its more significant symbols for the company is that of Clydesdale. While many Budweiser commercials of the past simply show the horses trampling through snow and pulling carriages, this commercial was quite different. Instead, it focused on the upbringing of a young horse and his connection to the person who helped raise him. In the ad, the horse moves from a foal to an adult horse who grows up into a Budweiser Clydesdale. The ad shows the same man going to see the famous Budweiser Clydesdales when the team visited Chicago. Obviously, the man had hoped his horse would remember him, but when that didn't happen, he seemed to understand and take it in stride. Then, as the Clydesdales are being unclipped and prepped for leaving, the horse breaks away to find the person who raised him. In the final few moments of the ad, they have a remarkable reunion in the city streets.
These commercials always leave an indelible mark on the viewer, and though the actual product Budweiser is selling only appears a handful of times in ads like these, they go a long way to building a brand story that draws in customers.
6. Bud Light's Hawk (2002)
One of our favorite types of commercials is ones that begin and end in entirely different moods. Perhaps that's why Bud Light's "Falcon" commercial from the early zeds still gets a giggle out of us. In this ad, you see a bachelor talking to two women with a falcon on his arm. He's showing them that his bird can retrieve and open Bud Light bottles on command. After successfully retrieving a bottle, one of the ladies asks, "Where does he get them?" The bachelor thoughtfully replies, "I don't know," with a wistful look on his face. Then, the screen cuts to a sidewalk bistro being terrorized by a falcon swooping down to grab a Bud Light. It's now clear to the audience exactly where those Bud Light bottles come from.
This ad is funny because it is unexpected, and we love the dynamic shift between the swanky city apartment and the hysteria caused below. This ad also tries to appeal to the different avenues in which you may enjoy a Bud Light. It plays well in a Super Bowl viewing situation because of the vast difference in sound and mood between the two settings of the ad.
5. Anheuser-Busch's Let's Grab a Beer (2021)
During the 2021 Super Bowl, the world was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, casting a shadow over this normally festive occasion. The game was played in a stadium that was far from full, hosting only 25,000 in-person fans alongside 30,000 cardboard cutouts. This unique arrangement was designed to fill the visual emptiness for viewers at home, creating an illusion of a bustling crowd. Despite the reduced physical attendance, advertisers didn't hold back in delivering powerful commercials.
Anheuser-Busch's ad was particularly resonant. It invoked the shared experience of enjoying a beer together, symbolizing connection in times of hardship and celebration. The commercial was a montage of poignant vignettes: It opened with newlyweds sharing a beer as their guests scattered from the rain, then cut to a man leaving his office with his belongings in a box, followed by a group stranded at an airport. We see a person being welcomed into a crucial conversation, a couple beginning to reconcile after an argument, a band celebrating post-performance, a lively kitchen scene, and someone clearing snow off a car. In each scenario, people reached out to each other, seeking connection in circumstances heavily influenced by the pandemic. The voiceover's message, "So when we're back, let's remember: It's never just about the beer," struck a chord of optimism, offering a much-needed reassurance that normalcy might soon return.
4. Blue Moon's Coors vs. Miller Light (2023)
If, while watching Super Bowl LVII, you noticed more beer brands advertising than in years past, there's a good reason for that. This marked a significant shift from previous years, as Anheuser-Busch's exclusive rights to beer advertising during the Super Bowl, which it held for over 30 years, finally lapsed. The change opened the doors for other beer brands to step into the spotlight, a chance they eagerly seized.
Molson Coors, for instance, approached this opportunity with a creative twist. In the lead-up to the game, the brand sparked a playful debate about which of its brands should be featured in an ad spot. The commercial itself was a spectacular showcase, featuring a highly choreographed and visually striking battle between two of its popular brands, Miller Lite and Coors Light. Set in an environment reminiscent of a favorite local dive bar, two characters, each representing one of the beers, engaged in a dynamic and cinematic showdown. They exchanged witty slogans such as "Made to Chill" and "It's Miller Time," all set to an exhilarating soundtrack.
The commercial's climax was as surprising as it was clever. Just as the audience might have anticipated a winner between Miller Lite and Coors Light, the spotlight shifted to reveal a pint of Blue Moon accented with an orange slide, of course. This twist cleverly advertised not one but three different beers, showcasing the diversity and creativity of Molson Coors' portfolio.
3. Bud Light Seltzer's Post Malone (2020)
If you're a Disney fan, you may have seen the movie "Inside Out." It's an animated story that explores the emotions, memories, and inner workings of a character named Riley. The emotions are actually personified characters in the narrative. In this ad from 2020, Bud Light explores a similar concept but with quite a different subject: Post Malone.
The commercial starts with Post Malone casually approaching a bar to order a Bud Light Seltzer. As he sips the mango-flavored drink, the scene shifts to a cleverly constructed view inside his brain, echoing the dynamic style of "Inside Out." We're introduced to a memory bank where the crew scrambles to figure out if Malone has tasted this drink before. The scene is filled with floppy disks, evoking a sense of nostalgia and chaos.
Upon tasting the drink, the reaction is instantaneous and overwhelmingly positive. The taste buds scream with joy, and the stomach, depicted as a gruff, boiler room-esque environment, assesses the drink's nutritional content. The ad cleverly navigates Malone's internal decision-making process, consulting various departments of his body. Eventually, they end up at the spleen — humorously personified as a lone worker at a desk, all too eager for action but hilariously irrelevant to the taste experience.
One fun touch is the depiction of characters inside Malone's head, who sport face tattoos mirroring those of Malone. This small detail adds a layer of humor, making the commercial not only relatable to fans but also memorable.
2. Crown Royal's Thank You Canada with Dave Grohl (2023)
Foo Fighters fans were in for a treat when Dave Grohl starred in a Crown Royal commercial during the 2023 Super Bowl. The ad, charmingly structured as a grand thank you note to Canada, celebrated an array of beloved Canadian contributions.
Grohl, with his signature charisma, pays homage to a diverse list of items and inventions originating from Canada. The ad joyously spotlights everything from comedians and musicians to everyday items like peanut butter, paint rollers, and poutine. It doesn't stop there; the ad playfully acknowledges the replay technology in sports, the walkie-talkie, the battery, and even quirkier inventions like the egg carton and the ironing board. The list continues with nods to the electric wheelchair, Hawaiian pizza, basketball, instant potatoes, trash bags, and canola oil. And for a touch of humor, Grohl even includes the whoopie cushion, all while subtly interweaving Canadian inventions as popular as hockey, basketball, and football.
The underlying reason for this eclectic and entertaining thank you note? Crown Royal is a proud Canadian brand. The ad skillfully ties in this fact while allowing viewers to bask in Grohl's infectious energy and humor. It's a clever and enjoyable commercial that not only entertains but educates, subtly weaving in the brand's Canadian heritage.
1. Budweiser's Puppy Love (2014)
Not much can capture Americans' hearts more than a puppy. Budweiser certainly knows the effect animals can have in commercials, so for this heartwarming ad, the viewer meets a puppy who has fallen in love with a Clydesdale on a nearby farm. After several failed attempts at trying to keep the pup from the ranch, the commercial ends with the puppy finding its forever home with the Clydesdales.
Outside of the symbol for Budweiser, there is no mention of the product here. Instead, the commercial sells a feeling and image of what it means to be quintessentially American. Viewers love and remember this commercial for the emotion it provokes. In short, this is our favorite commercial because the sentiment we continue to feel for this story even years later is still pretty substantial. And while we love a good Super Bowl laugh, it takes some excellent storytelling to make us feel all the things in the middle of a football game.