Today is my good friend and colleague Stephen Beaumont’s 48th birthday. In addition to his World of Beer, he also blogs online at On the House and That’s the Spirit. And when you’re in Toronto, be sure to stop in at his beer bistro. Join me in wishing Stephen a very happy birthday.
Stephen with Tom Dalldorf at the Great Divide reception at GABF in 2007.
Stephen Beaumont and his now-wife Maggie, and me, in the Bay Area for the Celebrator anniversary party a couple of years ago.
Stephen, Tom Dalldorf and me at 21st Amendment for a roast I threw for Tom’s 60th birthday several years ago.
Stephen and Maggie at their wedding reception in Toronto in August 2008.
Enjoying a pint of Fuller’s at The Dove in London three years ago.
Today is beer blogger extraordinaire Alan McLeod’s 49th birthday. Alan runs a good beer blog, called — curiously enough — A Good Beer Blog. I’m not sure what came first, the goodness or the blog. Anyway, though I’ve yet to meet Alan in person I feel as if he’s already a great, not just good, friend through our many conversations via e-mail and commenting on one anothers’ blogs. If you haven’t read his essay in the book Beer & Philosophy yet, rush right out and buy yourself a copy. Join me in wishing Alan the very merriest of birthdays. Cheers, mate.
Alan pondering the mysteries of Stonehenge at age 7.
A night with bald pate, circa 2002.
Contemplating a jump near Prince Edward Island a dozen years ago. Happily, he decided against getting wet.
Tuesday’s ad is for Carling’s Red Cap Ale. I’m not sure of the year the ad ran, but there is a clue at the bottom. It says that for 109 years it was made in Canada but as of the date of the ad was being made in the U.S. It’s a great illustration and I’m assuming it ran in the fall, sometime during football season, since the only element in the ad is the generic “Go Team!” football badge in blue and gold and some ticket stubs, presumably from the game.
Friday’s ad is another one for Molson, from 1985. Based on the headline — “If You’re Looking Out For #1, You Should Be Carrying #2″ — it’s undoubtedly from a trade magazine rather than a consumer publication. Apparently in 1985, Molson was the second best-selling imported beer, which is remarkable because as long as I can remember it was Heineken and Corona that were in the top spots.
Thursday’s ad is for Molson, from — I’m just guessing — the 1960s or 70s. I love the tray, and that ad copy. “Thirsting for the best of Canada? Make sure it’s Molson.”
Monday’s holiday ad is for the Canadian beer O’Keefe Ale, from 1958. With the slogan “… dans l’esprit des fetes!” — “in the holiday spirit” — it features a fetching couple under the mistletoe pouring a glass of O’Keefe Ale.
