Budweiser is putting its Clydesdales out to pasture for the holidays. The country's No. 3 beer brand said the horses will not play a role in its traditional advertising for the season, although the company added later Monday that they will be featured in spots promoting responsible drinking. Anheuser-Busch InBev also said the Clydesdales will return to be part of its upcoming Super Bowl ads. "The Clydesdales play a strong role for the brand, representing Budweiser quality and care for more than 80 years. As icons of the brand — and relevant symbols of integrity, perfection and team spirit for all generations — they are important to the brand and our campaigns," Anheuser-Busch said in a statement Monday. The decision not to feature the Clydesdales in holiday ads was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. The change comes as Budweiser's share of the U.S. beer market has declined since hitting its peak in 1988.

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Craft beer eclipsed Budweiser sales. Somewhere, a Clydesdale cries a single tear into his IPA. http://t.co/sQNZQNPnTI pic.twitter.com/4KYEI7SelO — Joseph S. Pete (@nwi_jsp) November 24, 2014

— The Associated Press