Monday’s ad is for Oland’s Export Ale, from 1966. The Oland Brewery was located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and their Export Ale was a popular brand in Eastern Canada after its introduction in the 1920s. The Oland family sold their brewery to Labatt’s in 1971. The Oland’s also founded Moosehead, which different members of the family still own and operate. The 1960s illustration in this ad looks great, though I’m not sure if it’s meant to appear as if it’s clear — presaging Zima — or that it brings more color to the woman’s cheeks, thereby increasing her attractiveness, even though she, technically, is the beer holder.
Archives for November 23, 2015
Patent No. 1161272A: Method Of Preserving Hops
Today in 1915, US Patent 1161272 A was issued, an invention of Henning Wennersten, for his “Method of Preserving Hops.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:
My invention is particularly designed to preserve the fresh or prime hops, or similar flowers or substances, in their best condition, so to prevent the escape of the valuable volatile elements, such as lupulin, and the deterioration of the hops by reason of the air coming more or less in contact therewith. It is also designed to produce a new product, which will add greatly to the convenience of handling and shipping the hops, which will also preserve them an indefinite length of time in any climate, and which in its nature may readily be employed in the manufacture of beer and other products where hops are essential, insuring accuracy in the use of the valuable chemical elements, or the ingredients employed, and dependability upon the grade or quality of such ingredients.
Patent No. D136684S: Design For A Drinking Glass
Today in 1943, US Patent D136684 S was issued, an invention of George L. Kearney, for his “Design for a Drinking Glass.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:
The ornamental design for a drinking glass, and ornamental Design for a Drinking Glass, substantially as shown.
Anchor Christmas Day 2015
Time was when today, the Monday before Thanksgiving, was the traditional day on which Anchor’s Our Special Ale — a.k.a. their Christmas Ale — was released each year. Every year since 1975 the brewers at Anchor Brewery have brewed a distinctive and unique Christmas Ale, which is now available from early November to mid-January.
From this year’s press release:
This is the forty-first annual Christmas Ale from the brewers at Anchor. It is sold only from early November to mid–January. The Ale’s recipe is different every year—as is the tree on the label—but the intent with which we offer it remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness of life. Since ancient times, trees have symbolized the winter solstice when the earth, with its seasons, appears born anew.
Our tree for 2015 is the Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara), better known as the California Christmas Tree. Native of the Himalayas, it takes its name from the ancient Sanskrit devadaru, meaning timber of the gods. This coniferous evergreen, with its gracefully droopy branches and blue-green needles, has been a San Francisco favorite for over 150 years.
The annual search for the perfect tree for our Christmas Ale label usually takes us far afield. This one began and ended with the search for a parking space near the Brewery! Getting out of the car, we couldn’t help but notice the way the late-afternoon sun danced amid the branches of two lovely Deodars just half a block from Anchor’s front door.
Our longtime label artist Jim Stitt — who has been drawing trees for us since 1975 — loved “our” Deodars and, like us, was amused that they were about as local as local gets! His charming illustration evokes the radiant beauty of our arboreal neighbors as well as the spirit of the season. Cheers from the Anchor brewers!
Even though for the last several years, Anchor’s Christmas Ale is released in early November, I continue to observe Anchor Christmas Day on the Monday before Thanksgiving. I know I’m a sentimental old fool, but I liked that they used to wait that long to release it, even though I understand why they had to abandon it. But some things are worth waiting for. If you agree with me, please join me in drinking a glass of this year’s seasonal release tonight. Happy Anchor Christmas Day!
Patent No. 3219319A: Concentration Control Apparatus For A Continuous Flow System
Today in 1965, US Patent 3219319 A was issued, an invention of Michael Edward Ash, assigned to Guinness Son & Co. Ltd., for his “Concentration Control Apparatus for a Continuous Flow System.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:
This invention relates in general to continuous flow systems of the kind in which liquid suspensions comprising a mechanical dispersion of sedimentable particles in a liquid of relatively lower specific gravity, are caused to flow through a processing vessel or series of vessels.