Last year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. Bock, of course, 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.

Thursday’s ad for “Bock” depicts a well-dressed goat raising a toast to America’s centennial, with the title: “Centennial Bock Bier. The Best, Can Be Had Here.” The lithograph was created in 1876. The lithographer was the famous Currier & Ives, located at 125 Nassau St., New York. They were a “printmaking business operating from 1835 to 1907. Founded by Nathaniel Currier, the company designed and sold inexpensive hand-painted lithographic works based on news events, views of popular culture and Americana. Advertising itself as “the Grand Central Depot for Cheap and Popular Prints,” the corporate name was changed in 1857 to “Currier and Ives” with the addition of James Merritt Ives.”

Last year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. Bock, of course, 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.

Wednesday’s ad for “Bock” depicts a woman jumping up onto a pyramid of wooden kegs, possibly to escape the goat nipping at her heels. The poster is inexplicably titled “Bock, Pyramida No. 198.” Does that mean there are at least another 197 of these? The chromolithograph was created in 1894. The lithographer was H. Schile & Co. of 269 Bowery in New York City. Henry Jerome Schile was born in Germany, and emigrated to the U.S. in 1851, settling in Manhattan, which is where he opened his own print company.

Last year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. Bock, of course, 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 for “Bock” depicts a well-dressed lady in a fetching hat somewhere in a forest setting. She’s holding a sprig of hops as a white goat is coming up from behind her trying to eat the hops. I presume that’s why the poster is titled: “White Bock.” In the background, a group of men are pouring themselves a beer from a wooden cask. The lithograph was created in 1889. The lithographer was H. Schile & Co. of 295 Bowery in New York City. Henry Jerome Schile was born in Germany, and emigrated to the U.S. in 1851, settling in Manhattan, which is where he opened his own print company.

Last year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. Bock, of course, 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 for “Bock” reminded me of a warped, beer-focused Godzilla movie, with a ginormous goat drinking a beer while towering over a large wooden cask of bock beer, turning on the spigot and spraying the townspeople below. It’s a strange scene that gets even weirder when you look closer. Many of the men are wearing uniforms and a few are brandishing nightsticks and guns. A man in a suit at the bottom toward the left is holding a crumpled piece of paper with the word “Spotter” visible on it. Right under the goat’s tail, a man is receding into the background, seemingly making his getaway up some mountainous terrain, carrying a suitcase and what looks like a bag of money under one arm. Below that is a sign which reads: “TO ? ? ? ?” Below the goat’s left leg, you can see two more men praying. It’s definitely an odd message to send, whatever that might be. The lithograph was created in 1875. The lithographer who designed it was named Rothengatter and the poster was printed and published by Vossnack & Thran, of 75 Chatham St., New York.

Last year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. Bock, of course, 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 for “Bock” depicts a man who appears to be quite fond of his pet goat as he has his arm around it like it’s his best friend. While it doesn’t appear anywhere oin the poster itself, the Library of Congress refers to this as “Bock Beer No. 131.” The lithograph was created in 1890. The lithographer was H. Schile & Co. of 295 Bowery in New York City. Henry Jerome Schile was born in Germany, and emigrated to the U.S. in 1851, settling in Manhattan, which is where he opened his own print company.

Last year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. Bock, of course, 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.

Thursday’s ad for “Bock” depicts a goat and a female server holding up a glass of beer, with a wooden cask behind her that has a wicker basket on top of it holding more beer glasses. Inexplicably, written at the bottom is “(Little) Vienna Bock Panel No. 5.” This lithograph was created in 1880. The lithographer was H. Schile & Co. of 295 Bowery in New York City. Henry Jerome Schile was born in Germany, and emigrated to the U.S. in 1851, settling in Manhattan, which is where he opened his own print company.