Tuesday’s election ad is for Budweiser, from 1965. In this ad, with the headline “When Gentlemen Agree …,” the elephant and the donkey appear happy and sharing a beer. This is when Johnson was president and shortly before we elected Nixon. I sure hope both sides of this year’s election can share a beer and appear so happy, and soon.
Today in 1881, US Patent 249332 A was issued, an invention of Francis J. Geis, for his “Mixture or Grist for Brewing Purposes.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes these claims:
My invention consists in a mixture or grist for brewing malt-liquors, composed of malt and cereals or grain having the cellulose or integument and germ or heart removed, the cereals or grain constituting from about twenty-five to fifty per centum, by weight, of the said mixture or grist.The cereals or grains thus treated have the oily and other objectionable matter removed, but contain the maximum amount of starch and the necessary albumenoids and gluten.
In carrying out my invention I prefer to remove the cellulose or integument and germ or heart of the cereals or grain by means of mechanism which is another invention of mine, and for which I intend to apply for Letters of Patent.
Before brewing I substitute for preferably from twenty-five to fifty per centum of the weight of malt ordinarily employed to produce a given quantity of the beverage alike weight of the prepared cereals or grain, and mix the two to form a grist. I then subject the combined mass of malt and cereals or grain to treatment by any suitable one of the usual methods employed in the manufacture of lager-beer, beer, ale, porter, or other malt-liquor, according as I desire to produce either of those beverages. I have found that one hundred pounds of the prepared cereals or grain will equal one hundred and thirty-six pounds of malt in extractor wort (the liquor that runs or is produced before fermentation) for the beverage, and as the prepared cereals or grain are much the cheaper,it is obvious that by means of employing this substitute I very materially cheapen the cost of the beverage. A larger and better quality of yeast of a uniform and vigorous character also results from the use of the prepared cereals or grain.
Monday’s ad is for Budweiser, from 1952. In this ad, with the headline “Let’s Get Together,” and showing an angry elephant with his hands folded, and an equally angry donkey, both sitting on what seems to be a giant block of ice. I assume they’re waiting for hell to freeze over? The ad seems to be somewhat echoing our election tomorrow, 64 years after it first appeared. With only one more day to go until “E-Day” tomorrow, please make sure you to do exercise your right and make your vote count. Seriously, let’s get together on this.
Today in 1893, US Patent 508140 A was issued, an invention of Emil Koch, for his “Beer Plate.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes these claims:
This invention relates to an improved plate of the kind used to support beer glasses, mugs and similar articles.
The object of the invention is to so construct the plate that it is light, durable and will readily absorb the moisture from the glass and also from the table.
Today in 1961, US Patent 3007756 A was issued, an invention of Staton Cummings Page, for his “Keg Table.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes these claims:
This invention relates to furniture used within and around buildings of various kinds including homes, offices, and other habitable quarters and particularly to the structural and ornamental features which contribute both to the appearance and utility of such furniture.
The invention relates specifically to furniture of novel or unusual appearance and structure, and which is more or less rustic or casual and therefore appropriate for use in dens, trophy rooms, cellars, patios, camp cottages, swimming pools, and the like.
Furnishings determine to a large degree the nature of living quarters including the attractiveness and individuality thereof and they exert an influence upon the spirits and attitude of those present.
It is an object of the invention to provide relatively simple, inexpensive, and sturdy furniture, of attractive and unusual appearance, and susceptible of use in various areas and locations both indoors and out.
Another object of the invention is to provide furniture which can be easily produced, of readily available materials, and will serve multiple purposes including that of a support, a work surface, a container both for liquids or solids, and as a novel decorative article.
Afurther object of the invention is to provide furniture susceptible of adjustment or slight modification for the adaptation of the same to the use for which it is to be employed and in order that by such flexibility of design a maximum use and advantage to the owner can be obtained.
Sunday’s ad is for Budweiser, from 1952. In this ad, with the headline “People’s Choice … Then And Now,” and showing an illustration of an election in 1852 (100 years before the ad originally ran). The gist of the ad is nostalgia for a simpler time when politics was something that was hard fought, but then you moved on and had a beer. The text, “When all the shouting is over, folks will go right on voting for Budweiser,” is something I wish we can still do (apart for the brand choice, of course). With only two days to go until “E-Day,” please make sure you to do exercise your right and make your vote count. Then go fight on voting for beer with flavor.
Today in 1934, US Patent 1979428 A was issued, an invention of John L. Wheeler, for his “Measuring Faucet.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes these claims:
An object of the invention is to provide a measuring faucet or tap whereby measured quantities of beer and other fermented liquids and beverages may be drawn or tapped without producing undesired or excessive amounts. Another object of foam, the invention is to provide an improved measuring faucet or tap having a receptacle into which measured amounts of beer, or other liquids, may be received from the usual keg or barrel containing the beer, or other liquids, in combination controlling admitted into said receptacle with means for selectively the amount of beer, or other liquid receptacle, and a valve controlling the admission of the beer or other liquid, into said receptacle and the discharge of the same therefrom.
Saturday’s ad is for Budweiser, from 1936. In this ad, the headline reads “Imagine Washing Your Face For 36 Hours!” I can, and it’s the equivalent of listening to or reading about American Politics for five minutes. So try to wash away the noise. With only three days to go until “E-Day,” please make sure you to do exercise your right and make your vote count. Don’t wash it away.
The 117th Session, is hosted this month by Csaba Babak, who writes the British beer blog Beer Means Business. For his topic, he’s chosen More, More, More, by which he’s asking us all to “paint a collective picture of what the future related to beer will be like.”
Here’s his full description of the topic:
I have always been obsessed with asking what happens next or what is still ahead instead of simply embracing what is in the present. Ever since I heard about Beer Blogging Fridays, I have been toying with the idea of hosting a Session to paint a collective picture of what the future related to beer will be like.
This month, Beer Means Business has the honour to host The Session and to make this happen. The final picture of Beer Future will be based on what you think we will see MORE of.
Over the last 10 years, numerous topics have been presented and the bloggers who discussed them expressed a rich diversity of perspectives or specific areas of interest. Therefore, I refrain from giving you further ideas or examples. There are no limits in time, space or nature either. I would like you to let your imagination free, and capture ONE thing you think we will see MORE of with an explanation of the idea.
So this month’s Session will be short, both by necessity and because I think the answer to this month’s question has a relatively short answer.
So, looking into my crystal ball, I have two observations.
1. Predictions are a fool’s errand. None of us can really say what the future will hold. Oh, we can make educated guesses, even back them up with charts, history or trend indicators. And I’ll even admit it can be fun to try. But in the end, the future rarely ever looks anything close to what think it will. To wit: where is my flying car that folds into a briefcase? A great quote that illustrates how off predictions can be comes from Joe Owades. Owades, in addition to creating low-calorie diet beer (a.k.a. light beer), helped several early small brewers with their recipes. In April of 1987 he said. “No microbrewer in his right mind should make wheat beer. Five years from now it will be dead (as a commercial product).” Wheat beers of all kinds seem to be doing very nicely, thank you very much. Though not beer-related, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates once quipped that “no one will ever need more than 64K RAM.” And these were both smart people who were well-respected members of their industries, knew a lot about their subject matter, yet failed utterly to grasp where the future was heading. I also happen to think (a hunch really) that even most predictions that turned out to be correct were the result of blind luck. So lots of predictions continue to fail, and will continue to fail, and maybe a few will turn out to be correct, but not enough to know who you should listen to and who to ignore. So I think it’s best to ignore them all and follow what you personally like, what speaks to you. At least that way you’ll be happy. There is, however, one thing I believe I can safely predict for the near future, and even the distant future. Then again, maybe I’m wrong.
2. People will still be drinking beer, and with a little luck, more of it will be beer with flavor.
Friday’s ad is for Budweiser, from 1971. In this ad, Ed McMahon is asking you to Pick-A-Pair, or threatening you that if you don’t he’ll start tap-dancing … with his twin brother. Please don’t let that happen. So which pair will you pick? With only four days to go until “E-Day,” please make sure you to do exercise your right and make your vote count. Don’t dance around it.
