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Jay R. Brooks on Beer

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Beer Birthday: Brian Yaeger

June 23, 2025 By Jay Brooks

yaeger-brian
Today is the 51st birthday of fellow beer writer Brian Yaeger, author of Red, White & Brew and Oregon Breweries. Brian also writes online at his Red, White & Brew Beer Odyssey blog. A couple of years ago Brian and his lovely bride Kimberly lived in Portland, Oregon (having moved from San Francisco), but then moved to Amsterdam, then moved back to Portland, but more recently relocated once more, this time to Santa Barbara, California, and even more recently has moved back to Oregon, this time to Bend. Join me in wishing Brian a very happy birthday.

Me with Eric Rose, founder and former owner of Hollister Brewing, and Brian when I met him there for a lunch during a family vacation to Santa Barbara in 2017.

Brian with Brian Lenzo, owner of Blue Palms Brewhouse, me and Meg Gill at the Speakeasy Brewery during SF Beer Week in 2010.
Craig Cauwels with Brian, the Beer Chef Bruce Paton and me at a Schooner’s beer dinner at Cathedral Hotel in 2008.
yaeger-and-alworth
Brian and a sour Jeff Alworth [purloined from Facebook].
Jay, Chris the Beer Scholar, Shap, Jay, me, Bryan, Damian before founding Almanac.

Brian Yaeger (right) after receiving an award from Jay Brooks of the North American Guild of Beer Writers. (Photo by Gail Ann Williams)

Filed Under: Birthdays, Just For Fun Tagged With: California, Oregon, Portland, San Francisco, The Netherlands

Beer In Ads #5006: Valley Forge Bock Beer

June 22, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. 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.

Sunday’s ad is for Valley Forge Bock Beer. The ad was published in 1954. This one was for the Adam Scheidt Brewing Co., which was located in Norristown, Pennsylvania and was originally founded in 1866. This ad ran in The Evening Star, of Washington, D.C.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Bock, History, Pennsylvania

Beer Birthday: Michael Frenn

June 22, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Today is the 67th birthday of Michael Frenn, who owned/owns Old Hangtown Brewing Co. of Placerville. An avid homebrewer, Michael turned his impressive backyard brewery into a small commercial nano-brewery in 2010, selling primarily kegs in the local area. I think I first met Michael at the NCHF in 2007. Originally working in the medical field, I believe he’s closed down the commercial side of the brewery and is now working as a Disaster Medical Specialist, something we definitely need in today’s climate of wildfires. But I suspect he’s still homebrewing in his backyard. Join me in wishing Michael a very happy birthday.

Michael in his backyard brewery.
Which was a quite impressive set-up.
The original logo.
The infamous “Ale Camino,” an El Camino tricked out with two taps that worked.

Filed Under: Birthdays, Just For Fun Tagged With: California, Northern California

Beer Birthday: Jean Moeder

June 22, 2025 By Jay Brooks

moeder-lambic
Today is the 47th birthday of Jean Moeder, founder of the Moeder Lambic bar in Brussels, Belgium. I first met Jean at his bar a few years back and have run into him since a couple of times. He’s very passionate about beer, and his place (both of them now) are amazing. Join me wishing Jean a very happy birthday.

moeder-and-cantillon
Jean and good friend Jean Van Roy, from Cantillon, at Brasserie de la Senne a couple of years ago.
moeder-peters
In front of Monk’s Cafe in Philadelphia: Pierre Tilquin, Jean, Jean Van Roy and owner Tom Peters, in 2012.
moeder-and-cantillon-2
But this is by far my favorite, again with Jean and Jean Van Roy, this time from 2014.

[Note: all photos purloined from Facebook.]

Filed Under: Birthdays, Just For Fun Tagged With: Bars, Belgium

Beer In Ads #5005: Valter & Droopy Love Old Imperial Bock

June 21, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. 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.

Saturday’s ad is for Old Imperial Bock Beer. The ad was published in 1962. This one was for the Rahr-Green Bay Brewing Co., which was located in Green Bay, Wisconsin and was originally founded in 1853. This ad ran in The Green Bay Press Gazette, of Green Bay, Wisconsin. The text on this one is great. “Cool, Refreshing, Palatable.” Palatable? Not exactly a great descriptor. But even better are the two endorsements, first from Valter: “Ven I say ‘good,’ I mean ‘GOOD!'” followed by Droopy: “‘Ach! You know de answer.”

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Bock, History, Wisconsin

Beer In Ads #5004: Have You Tried It Yet?

June 20, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. 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 Jax Bock Beer. The ad was published in 1962. This one was for the Jackson Brewing Co., which was located in New Orleans, Louisiana and was originally founded in 1890. This ad ran in The San Angelo Standard Times, of San Angelo, Texas.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Bock, History, Louisiana, New Orleans, Texas

Beer In Ads #5003: Old Reading Bock Beer

June 19, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. 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.

Thursday’s ad is for Old Reading Bock Beer. The ad was published in 1935. This one was for the Reading Brewing Co., which was located in Reading, Pennsylvania and was originally founded in 1886. This ad ran in The Reading Times, also of Reading, Pennsylvania.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Bock, History, Pennsylvania

Beer In Ads #5002: Lemp’s Bock Beer

June 18, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. 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.

Wednesday’s ad is for Lemp’s Bock Beer. The ad was published on June 18, 1914. This one was for the Lemp Brewing Co., which was located in St. Louis, Missouri and was originally founded in 1840. This ad ran in The Post Intelligencer, of Seattle, Washington, I think, Illinois.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Bock, History, Missouri, St. Louis

Beer In Ads #5001: Decatur Bock Beer

June 17, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. 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.

Tuesday’s ad is for Decatur Bock Beer. The ad was published in 1912. This one was for the Decatur Brewing Co., which was located in Decatur, Illinois and was originally founded in 1855. And it made sense to share today because it was run for a time by Frank Shlaudeman, who was born today in 1862. This ad ran in The Daily Review, also of Decatur, Illinois.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Bock, History, Illinois

Beer In Ads #5000: Bock Beer Always In The Lead

June 16, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. 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.

Monday’s ad is for Cumberland Bock Beer. The ad was published on June 16, 1894. This one was for the Cumberland Brewing Co., which was located in Cumberland, Maryland and was originally founded in 1890. This ad ran in The Frostburg Mining Journal, also of Frostburg, Maryland.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Bock, History, Maryland

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