Monday’s ad is from 1959 and is for a brewery I’d not heard of before, Hampden Brewery of Willimansett, Massachusetts. The guy at the sparse desk is Karl H. Bissell, Sr., chairman of the board for the brewery, though at that time it was known as Hampden-Harvard Brewing. Eventually Piels bought it but the brewery was shut down in 1975. Curiously, it’s been restarted as a craft brewery earlier this year as Hampden Brewing Co.
Frankly, Bissell looks more like James Carville and I’m not quite sure how this guy with his cueball noggin sitting behind a big, empty desk was meant to inspire brand loyalty or switching brands. And the slogan “New England’s Finest Beer At New England’s Fairest Price” is not exactly Shakespeare, either.
They appear to have brewed ales and lagers.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Karl H. Bissell, Sr. Is my great grandfather. He was a nut.
Hello Vincent, My father was Joseph Bissell. I was not involved in his life and I am trying to track down some family members and ties.Would you know a Joseph Bissell. I was born in Springfield,Mass to Margaret Viola Sherman in 1950. I would appreciate any help you may lend.
Candace:
My name is Olivia Bissell. My brothers and sisters are the children of Peter Bissell, Joseph Bissell’s identical twin brother. We are from Agawam originally, and now we are spread out over the country. Is your Mom still alive? Uncle Joe passed away 4/16/96. He was living in Golden Valley, Arizona.
I hope to hear from you.
Olivia Bissell
Call me 914 830 8533
I spent the first 9 years of my life living on Mr Bissell’s estate in Suffield Ct. My father was caretaker of the estate, and later became regional manager in the beer company.
In 1945 I was working in the summer vacation for A company called Halett Construction from Chicopee and we put in the driveway in the Bisseel estate. I also worked at Hampden beer one summer. I collect Hampden beer items, and that is how I came upon this site.
GAL
WELL HELLO BILLY MOFFETT, I HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF OUR YOUTH. THERE WAS QUITE A ALOT OF UNSUPERVISED FUN!
Hello Candace, Joseph B. Bissell was my uncle and my Dad(Peter’s) twin brother. We (Uncle Joe and I) were named after Great Grand Father Joseph Bissell who was a doctor in NY,NY . If you google Joseph and Josephine Bissell, there is interesting history that suggests they were prominent citizens. We(all of the cousins) welcome your responseYou can call me if you like at 805 895 4593. Joseph Bissell
Hello Billy, How is trumpet playing going? We sure had fun during our visits to Hilltop. Joe
Wow, This turned out to be pretty interesting! Peter Bissell twin to Joseph is my grandfather. Hi Ginny!
Candice–wow! Please look me up. My name is Marie Josephine Bissell (Constantin). My father was Karl the 3rd. Our family was very close to Joseph and he visited us often and lived close-by during some periods. We adored Uncle Joe. He was a very creative person and also very soft hearted and gentle. He loved to read and be outdoors. My older sister Jinx took care of him when she learned he was dying and she was by his side. Call her at 479-866-3478.
Billy Moffett–so nice to see you on here. You were my first “best friend”.
Candice–the phone lines are buzzing about your post and we sure hope you contact us.
Marie
Candice Sherman contact http://www.brookstonebeerbulletin.com concerning your post looking for Joseph Bissell
Keywords Hampden Beer Hampden Harvard Brewery Piels Beer