Gone to That Big Kegger in the Sky

Rumors about the death of Spuds MacKenzie, Anheuser-Busch’s famed party animal, have abounded for years--a limousine wreck, a plane crash.

But the real thing happened this spring. The Bud Light spokesdog died of kidney failure at his home, company officials confirmed. Make that her home. Spuds turned out to be female.

Spuds first appeared on a national TV spot during the 1987 Super Bowl. For two years, Spuds was a highly visible pitchdog who company officials say helped make Bud Light one of America’s top-selling brews.

“Spuds was the booster rocket to the brand’s success,” said Bob Lachky, Bud Light marketing director. “It was truly one of the most powerful advertising ideas in the last 25 years.”

Spuds spent her last years with owners Stan and Jackie Oles in North Riverside, Ill.