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.
Friday’s ad is for Hampden Bock Beer, which was published on January 30, 1935. This ad was for the Hampden Brewing Co., of Willmansett, Massachusetts, which was originally founded in 1878 by William Brierly, although he only owned it for one year. It then a few new owners, and different names, before being known as Hampden in 1890, which remained in the name until 1962, but after that had another series of owners before closing in 1974. This ad ran in The Morning Union, also of Springfield, Massachusetts.
