Last year 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.

Sunday’s ad is for Golden Age Special Thanksgiving Brew, which was published on November 23, 1934. While technically not a bock beer, I’d argue it’s close enough given this description: “Golden Age Brewmaster-Scientists lead the procession. ‘If Spring has its Bock Beer, why not a special beer to glorify the Thanksgiving season,’ so reasoned they.” This ad was for Golden Age Breweries of Spokane, Washington, which was originally founded as the B. Schade Brewing in 1904. It became known as Golden Age Breweries after prohibition, and used that name from 1934 until 1948. This ad ran in The Spokane Chronicle, also from Spokane, Washington.