Brookston Beer Bulletin

Jay R. Brooks on Beer

Socialize

Historic Beer Birthday: Otto Flood Emmerling

By

empire-brewery
Today is the birthday of Otto Flood Emmerling (June 1, 1889-December 2, 1992). He was the son of John Emmerling, who founded the Empire Brewery of Johnston, Pennsylvania in 1878. It was technically known as the Emmerling Brewing Co. the entire time it was in business, until it was closed by Prohibition in 1920. His son Otto, was born during the Johnstown Flood that began on May 31, 1889, when his mother Philomena went into labor, and he was born the next morning, on June 1 (though some record indicate June 2, but his grave’s headstone shows June 1), so that when he passed away in 1992, he was last survivor of the great flood. It was for that reason he was given the middle name “Flood.” He and his brother took over the family brewery in 1911, shortly before their father died, and continued to run it until it closed for good when Prohibition took effect in 1920.

johnstown-flood
The Johnstown Flood, known locally as “The Great Flood of 1889,” which occurred on May 31 of that year.

There’s not much biographical information I could find about Otto, nor any photos of him. He only ran the family brewery for nine years, and must have lost it entirely due to prohibition, and I couldn’t find out what he turned to afterwards or how he made his living between 1920 and 1992, or most of his life.

emmerling-brewery
This is the Emmerling brewery, also known as the Empire Brewery in Johnston, Pennsylvania, which also served as the family’s residence.

The wreckage of Johnstown after the great flood. John Emmerling’s Empire brewery, identified by a sign, is dead in the center. This was the day after Otto was born.

Beer In Ads #4984: Daufer’s Celebrated Bock Beer

By

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 Daufer’s Celebrated Bock Beer. The ad was published on May 31, 1909. This one was for Daufer & Co., which was located in Allentown, Pennsylvania from 1860 until 1938, although it was known by a variety of names over that time period. This ad ran in the Allentown Democrat, also of Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Beer Birthday: Phil Markowski

By

two-roads
Today is the 63rd birthday of Phil Markowski. Markowski started his career with New England Brewing in Norwalk, Connecticut, but made a name for himself at Southampton Publick House on Long Island. In 2012, he moved back to Connecticut and opened his own place in Stamford, Two Roads Brewing. Phil’s an amazing brewer and even wrote the book on Farmhouse Ales. Back in 2008, Phil was also involved in reformulating Primo when it was launched again by Pabst. I first met Phil during my Celebrator days, have run into him more recently since, and was fortunate to visit the brewery the year before the pandemic. He’s a rock star brewer that couldn’t be more low key. Join me in wishing Phil a very happy birthday.

Phil at the Two Roads Brewery when I visited him there in 2019.
A promotional shot by the brewery.

Phil-Markowski-Two-Roads-Brewing-Co.-Featured
Showing off Two Roads beers.

markowski-bus
Phil by the Two Roads bus.

This gem is from the Connecticut & Rhode Island Beverage Journal. “A 1990 newspaper clipping highlights Markowski’s early work (shown with Ron Page, now Brewmaster of City Steam in Hartford) at New England Brewing Company in Norwalk.”

Beer In Ads #4983: Refresh Yourself With Delicious Bock Beer

By

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 Wooden Shoe Beer. The ad was published on May 28, 1953. This one was for the Wooden Shoe Brewing Co. of Minster, Ohio, which was originally founded in 1869 by Franz Lange, though it became known by the Wood Shoe name after 1939 until it closed in 1954. This ad ran in the Chillicothe Gazette, of Chillocothe, Ohio. I don’t think of bock as beer that goes well with athletics, so the text for this ad is a little odd: “Refresh Yourself After a Hot Day In The Sun With Delicious Bock Beer.” Um, no thanks. I also love how he brought his family along while he plays golf. The son, presumably, is carrying his clubs, but the wife? Is she just watching him play? Oh, 1950s, you were a weird time.

Beer In Ads #4982: Wiener Bock Beer

By

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 Wiener Bock Beer. The ad was published on May 27, 1912. This one was for H. Kostenbader & Co. of Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, which was originally founded in 1867 and often known as the Eagle Brewery. This ad ran in the Morning Call, of Allentown, Pennsylvania. No word as to why they called it “Wiener Bock Beer,” or what makes it “The Real Beer.” But at least they “also Bottle and Sterilize it at the Brewery for Family Use.” For “Family Use?” What does that mean?

Beer In Ads #4981: Christian Moerlein’s Bock Beer

By

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 Christian Moerlein’s Bock Beer. The ad was published on May 26, 1903. This one was for Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio, which was originally founded in 1853. This ad ran in the Omaha World Herald, of Omaha, Nebraska. The ad is promoting all of their beers, and it’s hard to see, but on the seven wooden barrels along the bottom there’s a different style on each one, with the second from the right listing their “Bock.”

Beer In Ads #4980: Daeufer’s Celebrated Bock Beer

By

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 Daeufer’s Celebrated Bock Beer. The ad was published on May 25, 1917. This one was for Daeufer-Lieberman Brewing Co. of Allentown, Pennsylvania, which was originally founded in 1869 but was known by this name betweenn 1915-1938. This ad ran in the Allentown Leader, also of Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Beer In Ads #4979: Geo. Walter’s Bock Beer

By

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 Geo. Walter Bock Beer. The ad was published on May 24, 1932. This one was for Geo. Walter Brewing Co. of Appleton, Wisconsin, which was originally founded in 1862 but through a variety of owners and name changes over the years until closing in 1972. This ad ran in the Post Crescent, also of Appleton, Wisconsin.

Beer In Ads #4978: Poth’s Bock Beer

By

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 Poth’s Bock Beer. The ad was published on May 23, 1896. This one was for F.A. Poth & Sons, which was founded in 1865. This ad ran in the Philadelphia Times of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Beer In Ads #4977: Daufer’s Bock Beer

By

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 Daufer’s Bock Beer. The ad was published on May 22, 1899. This one was for Daufer & Co., which was located in Allentown, Pennsylvania from 1860 until 1938, although it was known by a variety of names over that time period. This ad ran in the Allentown Leader of Allentown, Pennsylvania.