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 poster is for Bautzener Doppel-Bock, which was created between 1900-1920. This poster was made for the Bautzener Brauerei und Mälzerei, which was founded in 1847 as a cooperative “Commun-Brauerei” founded by 77 innkeepers on Neusalzaer Straße in Bautzen, Germany. The poster was created by the lithography and advertising company Werbe-Metz Leipzig.
