Last year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. 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.

Tuesday’s ad is for Decatur Bock Beer and was published April 30, 1905. The brewery was the Decatur Brewing Co. of Decatur, Illinois, which was originally founded in 1855. This ad ran in The Herald and Review, also of Decatur, Illinois. I love the balance that bock beer brings with the equation: “Years to Your Life” vs. “Life to Your Years.”