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It’s not politically correct to point this out, but somebody has to say it: Anheuser-Busch’s lineup of Super Bowl spots has become more formulaic and anemic since the brewer’s “merger” two years ago with Belgium’s InBev.

Inevitably, with these kind of takeovers, everyone says nothing will change. Certainly, InBev knows how to advertise brands like Stella Artois. And everyone benefits from a mix of cultures and viewpoints. But while the new owners might speak proper American corporate-ese along with English, German, French and East Flemish (along with lots of Focus-Group-ish and Test-Test-Test-ish), they don’t know Clydesdale-ish — and that betrays a serious tin ear for American culture.

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