Brookston Beer Bulletin

Jay R. Brooks on Beer

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Patent No. EP0208450A2: Beer Filtration

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Today in 1987, US Patent EP 0208450 A2 was issued, an invention of Ronald Shackleton, for his “Beer Filtration.” Here’s the Abstract:

It has been proposed to filter beer or tank bottoms using crossflow filtration. In accordance with the invention, this crossflow filtration is achieved using ceramic membranes. In a particular form shown in figure 1, a two stage filtration process combines the functions of clarification and recovery from tank bottoms. Beer is drawn from a tank 1 by a centrifugal pump 2 to a primary filtration stage comprising a circuit in- cludinga a circulating centrifugal pump 3, a ceramic membrane filter 4 and a cooler 5. A proportion of the circulating liquid is drawn off by a positive pump 8, and passed to a secondary filtration stage, again comprising a circuit including a circulating positive pump 9, a ceramic membrane filter 11 and a cooler 12. A proportion of the retentate is drawn off via a line 14. This retentate is of a pasty consistency and normally has a commercial value, in that it is free of kieselguhr or other filter aid.

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Patent No. EP0142966B1: Valved Closure For Kegs Or Casks

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Today in 1988, US Patent EP 0142966 B1 was issued, an invention of Roger John Hyde, for his “Valved Closure for Kegs or Casks.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

This invention relates to valved closures for pressure vessels, such as kegs or casks for beverages dispensed through the valved closure by pressure gas admitted to the keg or cask through the closure.

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Patent No. 3554400A: Nonflipping Beer Can End

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Today in 1971, US Patent 3554400 A was issued, an invention of John S. Bozek, assigned to the Continental Can Co., for his “Nonflipping Beer Can End.” Here’s the Abstract:

An easy opening end particularly adapted for use on beverage cans, said end including an end panel, weakening line formed in said end panel and defining a removable tearout portion which extends generally from the central portion of said end panel to the periphery of said end panel, and a circumferential rib in said end panel, said rib being generally C-shaped in outline and having opposite ends terminating adjacent said tearout portion and reinforcing said end panel around said tearout portion to prevent premature rupturing of said can end along said weakening line, and a pull tab secured to said tearout portion for effecting the removal thereof, said rib being depressed to define an upwardly opening groove, and said pull tab having a free end overlying said groove whereby clearance is provided between said pull tab free end and said end panel to facilitate the initial lifting of said pull tab.

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Patent No. 2665936A: Beer Can Handle

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Today in 1954, US Patent 2665936 A was issued, an invention of Walter G. Moore, for his “Beer Can Handle.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

This invention relates to a handle for beer cans and the like, and has for its principal object the provision of a simple, economical, one-piece structure which can be instantly snapped on and off a tin can to provide a handle therefor, and to form a drinking receptacle therefrom.

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Patent No. 749583A: Beer Keg Washing Apparatus

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Today in 1904, US Patent 749583 A was issued, an invention of Frederich Schmidt, for his “Beer Keg Washing Apparatus.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for washing or flushing beer-kegs internally with hot or cold water.

The object of the invention is to provide an` apparatus by the employment of which beer kegs may be conveniently and expeditiously cleansed.

The invention consists in arrangements or combinations and constructions of parts, all substantially as hereinafter fully described, and set forth in the claims.

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Patent No. 2698994A: Beer Can Opener

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Today in 1955, US Patent 2698994 A was issued, an invention of Walter M. Hansen, for his “Beer Can Opener.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

This invention relates to a can opening device and more particularly to a high speed opener of the performating type.

The conventional practice of storing liquids for customer consumption in cans has presented a problem for operators of restaurants and taverns who necessarily handle a large volume of canned liquids in this form such as beer and fruit juices. The usual practice is to punch a hole in the tops of the cans through which the content is poured into the customers glass. Prior to this time such a can punching operation has not only proved dangerous and laborious but also time consuming in that seldom was the punch conveniently located and its use required two hands, one hand to hold the can while the other hand was used to do the punching. Injuries are likely to occur in case of slippage of the can from the hand of the opener.

It is therefore among the objects and purposes of this invention to provide a high speed can opener requiring only a straight thrust by one hand of the operator used to grasp the can wherein a pivoted cutting blade is brought into cutting engagement with the top of the can.

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Patent No. 172085A: Improvement In Devices For Drawing Beer

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Today in 1876, US Patent 172085 A was issued, an invention of Thomas J. Byrne, for his “Improvement in Devices for Drawing Beer.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

My invention relates to improvements in that class of devices employed for forcing air into barrels, kegs,vand other similar vessels in order to produce sufficient pressure within the same to cause liquid contained therein to flow readily therefrom when the spigot or tap is open, the nature of which will be hereinafter fully explained by reference to the drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a horizontal section of an ice-box, with a barrel or keg contained therein, with my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 represents a sectional view of the air pump. Fig. 3 shows a vertical section of the plug, and parts connected therewith. shows a detached view of parts.

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Fehr’s Beer Bear

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My most recent “Beer in Ads” post was for a Bock by the Frank Fehr Brewing Co. of Louisville, Kentucky, which was in business from 1890 to 1964, and even earlier as the Otto Brewery. In researching the brewery, I found some amazing promotional photos for the Frank Fehr Brewing Co. at the University of Louisville Digital Collection. If a brewery tried this today, the prohibitionist groups would go seriously apoplectic. Fehr’s actually used a teddy bear, which they referred to as a “Beer Bear” or Fehr’s Bear” in their marketing.

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This M.R. Kopmeyer Co. photo of Fehr’s bottle of beer is from July of 1959.

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And here’s another one of a Teddy beer with Fehr’s beer bottles from August of 1959.

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“Frank Fehr Brewing Co. Int photos of Jack Schnatter and Fehrs beer at Kroger store at Shelbyville Road Plaza,” taken August 28, 1959.

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And here’s a close-up of Jack Schnatter and the teddy bear at the same visit to Krogers.

I can just imagine the hue and cry today if any beer brand tried using a teddy bear as a part of their marketing. You know they’d be accused of “targeting” children, a frequent charge leveled by modern prohibitionists and yet in what I imagine was a conservative southern town in the late fifties people seemed to take it all in stride. What does that say about the people running prohibitionist organizations in the 21st century that they can’t tell the difference between targeting and having fun, between knowing what appeals to all people and not just children.

I confess Fehr’s was not a beer brand I was familiar with. I suspect it was only available, even in its heyday, in and around the Louisville area. So there it’s probably well known. They certainly had some great slogans, the one I see the most is pretty awesome. It’s always Fehr weather.”

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I guess we know from that how Frank Fehr’s name was pronounced. They used it it a variety of marketing materials, from coasters …

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to crowns …

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to trays.

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Another play on the name was “Be ‘Fehr’ to Yourself” — Drink — Fehr’s Kentucky Beer.”

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It’s certainly popular enough in the Louisville area that some people are trying to bring back the brand, and have a website and Facebook page up, though there was more movement and even some local news coverage two years ago.

Patent No. 2143565A: Beer Stabilizer Coil Control

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Today in 1939, US Patent 2143565 A was issued, an invention of Raymond G. Minea, for his “Beer Stabilizer Coil Control.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

My invention relates to an improvement in regulator valves, particularly adapted for use in dispensing beer, ale, or the like; and to a dispensing apparatus for controlling the flow of the beer or other liquid through the valve.

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Patent No. 2186835A: Foam Removing Utensil And Strainer

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Today in 1940, US Patent 2186835 A was issued, an invention of John J. Mccauley, for his “Foam Removing Utensil and Strainer.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

This invention is an improved foam removing utensil and strainer and is intended especially for use as a bartenders implement as will hereinafter be more fully set out.

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