
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.
Monday’s ad is for not for a specific Bock Beer, but a restaurant on Route #4 in Paramus, New Jersey, called “Old Salt Seafood Restaurant.” They also mention another, presumably sister restaurant, called the “Old Salt Clam House,” located in New York City between 99th and 100th Streets. The ad was published on August 4, 1950. This ad ran in The Bergen Evening Record, of Bergen, New Jersey. The art for the ad features a cartoon drawing of a camel sitting at a bar, who comes in the Spring and drinks nothing but Bock Beer.
