Today in 1882, US Patent 266126 A was issued, an invention of John Fowler, for his “Beer Pump.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes these claims:
This invention has relation to beer-pumps used in distilleries for pumping beer and mash; and it consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.
Sunday’s ad is for Schlitz, from 1940. In this ad, entitled “Moments We’ll Never Forget …,” is features “Six great explorers recall exciting episodes around the world.” But then there’s one more story. And it’s the moment you first tasted Schlitz. There’s even a sidebar with how bad air is for your beer. Another dense double truck filled with text. These may some of the first advertorials.
Today in 1883, US Patent 286637 A was issued, an invention of Edward Fitch, for his “Beer Chip.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes these claims:
My invention consists in a “beer-chip,” so called, for clarifying the beer, which is perforated for the purpose of increasing its superficies and allowing a-circulation of liquid, the holes extending in parallel rows with those of the other, one row alternating with those of the other, so as to least weaken the article; also, in producing a roughened splintery edge on the veneer by breaking or splintering the same.
Heretofore beer-chips have been cut to a certain width by means of saws, knives, or shears, which gives the chip a comparatively smooth, edge,to which no particles in the beer will adhere, confining the clarifying functions to be performed solely through the surfaces of the chip. Should, as sometimes happens, two chips lie one upon the other, (which is never the case with the edges of a chip,) the surfaces of such chips, and consequently the chip itself, will be inoperative and useless as a clarifier in the vat. In order to meet this deficiency and increase the clarifying properties of the chip in general,l make the edges of the chip splintery. as shown in Fig. 2. Amore minute description of forming such splintery edges in the chip is given hereinafter. It will be seen and admitted that to the splintery edges of a chip impurities in the beer will readily ad here and be retained until cleansed and removed by the action of the water in the re= by subjecting the wood or veneer to the action of a pair of cutting-rolls. The wood or veneer is passed through the said-cutting-rolls, is wedged between the male and female cutters, which breaks or slits the veneer into chips, producing the desired splintery edges on the chips.
Saturday’s ad is for Schlitz, from 1940. In this ad, a trivia bonanza, all about how things got their names. “What’s in a Name? Everything!” There are sixteen little histories of how different things got their names, which is a lot for an ad, even a double truck. And then there’s just one more origin story:Schlitz.
Today in 2008, US Patent EP 1979462 A1 was issued, an invention of Herwig Bernaert, for his “Use of Cacao Polyphenols in Beer Production.” Here’s the Abstract:
The present invention relates to a solvent-derived, cocoa extract comprising between 25 and 65% by weight of polyphenols, and uses thereof for improving a beer production process and the resulting beer product. The invention further relates to a method for improving a beer production process as well as the beer product resulting from it. The invention further relates to a beer product with improved quality such as enhanced colloidal, taste and flavor stability. The invention also provides a beer with exogenous polyphenols and a beer comprising at least one cocoa polyphenol. Furthermore, the present invention includes a use of exogenous polyphenols as process enhancer and a use of cocoa for enhancing filtration processes.
Friday’s ad is for Schlitz, from 1939. In this ad, with the ridiculously long title “Favorite Recipes of famous Amateur Chefs that go well with that famous flavor found only in Schlitz. The dense ad includes short bios and recipes from ten people (they’re hard to read) and this interesting blanket statement. “The epicure prefers a beer that is neither sweet nor bitter.” I think that depends on what he’s doing with it, how he’s using it or what food he’s pairing or cooking it with. Of course, this was 1939, and Sean Paxton and Bruce Paton hadn’t been born yet.
Today in 1879, US Patent 220595 A was issued, an invention of Edward Fitch, for his “Improvement in Tapping and Venting Barrels.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes these claims:
This invention relates to an improved method or process of tapping and venting barrels, casks, or other vessels containing liquids, and consists- First. Of a faucet provided with an air-duct passing partly through the same lengthwise, preferably near the upper side thereof, and terminating near the inner end of the faucet in an opening upon the side of the faucet.
Second. This air-duct is controlled by the spigot of the faucet, and is opened or shut by turning the spigot. The spigot is provided with two openings, one above the other-the upper one for the admission of air to the airduct, and the lower one for the emission of the liquid contents of the barrel. The lower opening is made larger than the upper one, and in such position in the spigot that by partially turning the spigot the liquid will flow while the air-duct remains closed, and by further turning the spigot the air-duct will also be opened. The spigot can thus be made to open both passages at the same time, or to close both passages at the same time, or to open the lower passage for the flow of the liquid while the upper or air passage or duct remains closed.
Third. The head of the barrel,’cask, or other vessel to be tapped and vented is provided with an air duct or passage passing in a straight line through the substance of the head at right angles with the axis of the barrel, and opening at the lower end of the said air duct or passage in the upper side of the orifice in the said head through which the liquid is to be drawn, and at the other end thereof into the barrel at or near the junction of the head with the staves of the barrel, thus opening a duct or passage from the orifice in said head to the air-chamber in the upper side of the barrel when the same is placed upon its side in position for drawing the liquid.
Thursday’s ad is for Schlitz, from 1938. In this ad, it tells the tale of a man from Kansas in India for work, and amazed at the foreign land’s beauty and strangeness. But hen his “boy” brings him a brown bottle of Schlitz, cooled in a waterfall, and all is right with the world once more. In fact, he believes that beer saved his life. That’s a pretty impressive beer.
Today in 1999, US Patent EP 0949195 A1 was issued, an invention of Willem Terpstra and Jeroen Alexander Töpfer, assigned to Dispense Systems International B.V., for their “Spear Valve for a Keg.” Here’s the Abstract:
A valve for a keg of beer comprises a neck ring (2) to be secured to the container (1) and an inner part (3) formed with a valve member (4), which fits an opening of the neck ring (2). Locking means (7-9) function to lock the inner part (3) in the neck ring (2), and a sealing ring (16) forms a seal between the inner part (3) and the neck ring (2) at the location of opposite seat portions in the neck ring (2) and the inner part (3). The inner part (3) and the neck ring (2) are provided with mutually cooperating coupling means (12-15), which, after the locking means have been released, provide for the removal of the inner part (3) from the neck ring (2) in two steps, wherein pressure relief takes place in the first step via at least one pressure relief opening (20). The pressure relief opening (20) is formed through the wall of the neck ring (2), at a location a small distance above the seat portion in said neck ring, so as to effect a reliable pressure relief.
Today in 1936, US Patent 2057347 A was issued, an invention of Daniel J. Reed, for his “Beer Barrel.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes these claims:
This invention relates to a metal beer barrel.
The principal object of the invention is to provide means for absorbing blows and sudden shocks delivered longitudinally of the barrel on 5 the end edge, thereby preventing injury to the body of the barrel and to the lining material therein.
