Brookston Beer Bulletin

Jay R. Brooks on Beer

Socialize

Beer In Ads #5286: The Candidates Swell With Pride, I Declare, And They All Want To Sit In The President’s Chair

By

Two years ago I decided to concentrate on Bock ads for awhile. Bock, of course, may have originated in Germany, in the town of Einbeck. Because many 19th century American breweries were founded by German immigrants, they offered a bock at certain times of the year, be it Spring, Easter, Lent, Christmas, or what have you. In a sense they were some of the first seasonal beers. “The style was later adopted in Bavaria by Munich brewers in the 17th century. Due to their Bavarian accent, citizens of Munich pronounced ‘Einbeck’ as ‘ein Bock’ (a billy goat), and thus the beer became known as ‘Bock.’ A goat often appears on bottle labels.” And presumably because they were special releases, many breweries went all out promoting them with beautiful artwork on posters and other advertising. With Spring approaching, there are so many great examples that I’m going to post two a day for a few months.

Monday’s ad is for J.G. Schemm Bock Beer, which was published on July 6, 1908. This ad was for The J.G. Schemm Brewing Co. of Saginaw, Michigan, which was originally founded in 1866. This one of the strangest ads I’ve come across, as it starts inexplicably with a four-line poem about politicians. And while the brewery name is prominent at the bottom, the fact. that they’re advertising Bock Beer is buried in the text, so it doesn’t seem like a very effective ad. This ad ran in the Saginaw News, also of Saginaw, Michigan.

Beer In Ads #5285: Old Mother Hubbard’s Bavarian Bock Beer

By

Two years ago I decided to concentrate on Bock ads for awhile. Bock, of course, may have originated in Germany, in the town of Einbeck. Because many 19th century American breweries were founded by German immigrants, they offered a bock at certain times of the year, be it Spring, Easter, Lent, Christmas, or what have you. In a sense they were some of the first seasonal beers. “The style was later adopted in Bavaria by Munich brewers in the 17th century. Due to their Bavarian accent, citizens of Munich pronounced ‘Einbeck’ as ‘ein Bock’ (a billy goat), and thus the beer became known as ‘Bock.’ A goat often appears on bottle labels.” And presumably because they were special releases, many breweries went all out promoting them with beautiful artwork on posters and other advertising. With Spring approaching, there are so many great examples that I’m going to post two a day for a few months.

Sunday’s ad is for Old Mother Hubbard’s Bavarian Bock Beer, which was published on July 5, 1890. I’m not sure what brewery made this bock beer. The ad doesn’t specify a brewery only where it’s being sold, which is B.J. King’s Excelsior Bottling House, of York, Pennsylvania. A different ad from 1888 has B.J. King listed as “Agent” and further mentions he’s also a “Bottler of Pops, Ginger Ale, Grape Soda, Etc.” The ad also states they bottle beer for two breweries, “Bay View Brewery,” from Baltimore, Maryland, and the second is listed as “Bavarian Beer, the Celebrated Beer of Philadelphia.” Unfortunately, several searches turned up no Bavarian Brewery in Philly, although there was a Bavarian Brewing Co. in Willmington, Delaware, which was fairly nearby. They apparently sold a beer called “Old Master Bavarian Bock Beer” in the 1930s and that seems pretty close. Whoever made it, it’s a great name. This ad ran in the York Dispatch, also of York, Pennsylvania.

Beer In Ads #5284: Washington Brewery Company’s Pure Bock Beer

By

Two years ago I decided to concentrate on Bock ads for awhile. Bock, of course, may have originated in Germany, in the town of Einbeck. Because many 19th century American breweries were founded by German immigrants, they offered a bock at certain times of the year, be it Spring, Easter, Lent, Christmas, or what have you. In a sense they were some of the first seasonal beers. “The style was later adopted in Bavaria by Munich brewers in the 17th century. Due to their Bavarian accent, citizens of Munich pronounced ‘Einbeck’ as ‘ein Bock’ (a billy goat), and thus the beer became known as ‘Bock.’ A goat often appears on bottle labels.” And presumably because they were special releases, many breweries went all out promoting them with beautiful artwork on posters and other advertising. With Spring approaching, there are so many great examples that I’m going to post two a day for a few months.

Satuday’s Independence Day ad is for Washington Brewery Co.’s Pure Bock Beer, which was published on July 4, 1894. This ad was for the Washington Brewery Co. of Washington, D.C., which was originally founded in 1850 by George Juenemann.  It was originally known as George Juenemann Mount Vernon Brewery and was located between 4th, 5th, E and F Street Northeast. In 1889, they began using the Washington Brewery Co. name. This ad ran in the Washington Post, also of Washington, D.C.

Beer In Ads #5283: Something Never Seen Before! XXX Bock Beer

By

Two years ago I decided to concentrate on Bock ads for awhile. Bock, of course, may have originated in Germany, in the town of Einbeck. Because many 19th century American breweries were founded by German immigrants, they offered a bock at certain times of the year, be it Spring, Easter, Lent, Christmas, or what have you. In a sense they were some of the first seasonal beers. “The style was later adopted in Bavaria by Munich brewers in the 17th century. Due to their Bavarian accent, citizens of Munich pronounced ‘Einbeck’ as ‘ein Bock’ (a billy goat), and thus the beer became known as ‘Bock.’ A goat often appears on bottle labels.” And presumably because they were special releases, many breweries went all out promoting them with beautiful artwork on posters and other advertising. With Spring approaching, there are so many great examples that I’m going to post two a day for a few months.

Friday’s ad is for XXX Bock Beer, which was published on July 3, 1870. The bock in question was brewed for them by the Milwaukee Brewery of Detroit, Michigan, which was founded in 1866 by William Voigt. This ad was for “Del’s Tavern located at the corner of Third and Vine”Something Never Seen Before!, or the “Grand Reception of King ‘Gambrinus,’ in Detroit, on the 4th Day of July,” to be held at Long’s Saloon at No. 34 Monroe Ave. in Detroit, Michigan, which was part of the historic Monroe Avenue Commercial Buildings. This ad ran in the Detroit Free Press, also of Detroit, Michigan.

Beer In Ads #5282: Enjoy The 4th At Del’s With Bock Beer

By

Two years ago I decided to concentrate on Bock ads for awhile. Bock, of course, may have originated in Germany, in the town of Einbeck. Because many 19th century American breweries were founded by German immigrants, they offered a bock at certain times of the year, be it Spring, Easter, Lent, Christmas, or what have you. In a sense they were some of the first seasonal beers. “The style was later adopted in Bavaria by Munich brewers in the 17th century. Due to their Bavarian accent, citizens of Munich pronounced ‘Einbeck’ as ‘ein Bock’ (a billy goat), and thus the beer became known as ‘Bock.’ A goat often appears on bottle labels.” And presumably because they were special releases, many breweries went all out promoting them with beautiful artwork on posters and other advertising. With Spring approaching, there are so many great examples that I’m going to post two a day for a few months.

Thursday’s ad is for an unspecified Bock Beer, which was published on July 2, 1942. This ad was for Del’s Tavern located at the corner of Third and Vine, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, which apprears to have opened in 1933 and is till going today. This ad ran in the La Crosse Tribune, also of La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Beer In Ads #5281: New Lebanon’s Special Brew Of Bock Beer For The 4th Of July

By

Two years ago I decided to concentrate on Bock ads for awhile. Bock, of course, may have originated in Germany, in the town of Einbeck. Because many 19th century American breweries were founded by German immigrants, they offered a bock at certain times of the year, be it Spring, Easter, Lent, Christmas, or what have you. In a sense they were some of the first seasonal beers. “The style was later adopted in Bavaria by Munich brewers in the 17th century. Due to their Bavarian accent, citizens of Munich pronounced ‘Einbeck’ as ‘ein Bock’ (a billy goat), and thus the beer became known as ‘Bock.’ A goat often appears on bottle labels.” And presumably because they were special releases, many breweries went all out promoting them with beautiful artwork on posters and other advertising. With Spring approaching, there are so many great examples that I’m going to post two a day for a few months.

Wednesday’s ad is for an New Lebanon Bock Beer, which was published on July 1, 1907. This ad was for the New Lebanon Brewing Co. of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, which was originally founded in 1856 by Henry L. Hartman. This ad ran in the Daily News, also of Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

Beer In Ads #5280: Don’t Argue With A “Hot-Dog” Thirst — Drink Rainier Bock! It Goes Right To The Thirsty Spot!

By

Two years ago I decided to concentrate on Bock ads for awhile. Bock, of course, may have originated in Germany, in the town of Einbeck. Because many 19th century American breweries were founded by German immigrants, they offered a bock at certain times of the year, be it Spring, Easter, Lent, Christmas, or what have you. In a sense they were some of the first seasonal beers. “The style was later adopted in Bavaria by Munich brewers in the 17th century. Due to their Bavarian accent, citizens of Munich pronounced ‘Einbeck’ as ‘ein Bock’ (a billy goat), and thus the beer became known as ‘Bock.’ A goat often appears on bottle labels.” And presumably because they were special releases, many breweries went all out promoting them with beautiful artwork on posters and other advertising. With Spring approaching, there are so many great examples that I’m going to post two a day for a few months.

Tuesday’s ad is for an Rainier Bock Beer, which was published on June 30, 1902. This ad was for the Rainier Brewing Co. of Seattle, Washington, which was originally founded in 1878. This ad ran in the Province, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Beer Birthday: Larry Berlin

By

Today is the 65th birthday of Larry Berlin. Originally from New Jersey, I first met Larry when he was the brewmaster at the organic brewery in Chico, California, Butte Creek Brewing. Before that, I know he brewed at Sierra Nevada, but Butte Creek closed in 2009, and the brand was acquired by Mendocino Brewing the following year. Larry brewed at a few different places after that, and I caught up with in Marin County, where he was brewing at State Room Brewing in San Rafael, and then opened nearby Fairfax Brewing, which is owned by the same couple. They’ve subsequently sold State Room, so I believe Larry is brewing just at Fairfax these days. Join me in wishing Larry a very happy birthday.

Me and Larry at Fairfax Brewing last year.
Co-owners Alex Stricker, Lisa Stricker, along with brewmaster Larry Berlin at Fairfax Brewing.
Love this shot of Larry being spotted at an unknown festival. [photo purloined from Facebook.]

Beer In Ads #5279: Nobody* Undersells Weltman’s Bucks Bock!

By

Two years ago I decided to concentrate on Bock ads for awhile. Bock, of course, may have originated in Germany, in the town of Einbeck. Because many 19th century American breweries were founded by German immigrants, they offered a bock at certain times of the year, be it Spring, Easter, Lent, Christmas, or what have you. In a sense they were some of the first seasonal beers. “The style was later adopted in Bavaria by Munich brewers in the 17th century. Due to their Bavarian accent, citizens of Munich pronounced ‘Einbeck’ as ‘ein Bock’ (a billy goat), and thus the beer became known as ‘Bock.’ A goat often appears on bottle labels.” And presumably because they were special releases, many breweries went all out promoting them with beautiful artwork on posters and other advertising. With Spring approaching, there are so many great examples that I’m going to post two a day for a few months.

Monday’s ad is for an Flocks Bock Beer, which was published on June 29, 1950. This ad was for Corky Weltman’s Liquor Dept. Store of Washington, D.C., which appears to have only closed in the last few years. The Bock they can’t be “knowingly” undersold on is from the Flock Brewing Co. of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, which was founded in 1854 by Jacob Hoffman. This ad ran in the Times Herald, of Washington, D.C.

Beer In Ads #5278: Edel-Bock

By

Two years ago I decided to concentrate on Bock ads for awhile. Bock, of course, may have originated in Germany, in the town of Einbeck. Because many 19th century American breweries were founded by German immigrants, they offered a bock at certain times of the year, be it Spring, Easter, Lent, Christmas, or what have you. In a sense they were some of the first seasonal beers. “The style was later adopted in Bavaria by Munich brewers in the 17th century. Due to their Bavarian accent, citizens of Munich pronounced ‘Einbeck’ as ‘ein Bock’ (a billy goat), and thus the beer became known as ‘Bock.’ A goat often appears on bottle labels.” And presumably because they were special releases, many breweries went all out promoting them with beautiful artwork on posters and other advertising. With Spring approaching, there are so many great examples that I’m going to post two a day for a few months.

Sunday’s work was created for “Edel-Bock,” which was published around 1910. It was created for the Brauerei Weller-Schwabach of Schwabach, Bavaria, Germany, which was founded in 1879 (or 1701 according to some accounts). This poster was printed by B.A. Funke Nache, in Leipzig, Germany.