Saturday’s ad is for Frank Fehr Brewing Co.’s Bock Beer, probably from the 1890s. The brewery was located in Louisville, Kentucky, but started out as the Otto Brewery. Its name changed to Frank Fehr in 1890, and remained that name until it closed in 1964. It’s a twofer, with not one, but two, goats standing over a barrel of their bock, with “Try Our” on the head and “Bock Beer” just below.
Friday’s ad is for Bock Beer, another one form probably the late 1800s, but nothing more specific about who it’s for or exactly where and when. Featuring a festive couple, it almost seems like she’s asking for his beer, while he’s holding it just out of reach, smiling, as she continues to try to talk him out of it. There must be something going on, because look at the goat’s startled eyes, and notice he’s looking away? There’s definitely more than meets the eye in this scene.
Thursday’s ad is for Feldschlösschen Bock, from around 1910. It was produced by A. Trüb & Cie, a Swiss printer though I’m not certain if the brewery is likewise from Switzerland. There is a Feldschlösschen in Dresden, Germany which apparently been brewing there since 1858. I only remember Radebgerger being (near) there when I visited Dresden a little over ten years ago. Another source claims it’s for the “Feldschlösschen Bock brewery in Aarau, Switzerland,” but it seems unlikely there would have been two breweries so close to one another with the same name. It’s more stylized the older bock ads, but is still pretty cool.
Wednesday’s ad is for Bock beer, though I have no idea whose or when it’s from. It’s a pretty wild ad showing a goat winning a race involving a wheelbarrow with a barrel of beer on it. He’s leaving that guy wearing the top hat in the dust.
Tuesday’s ad is for Geo. Wiedemann Bock Beer, from around 1910, but definitely pre-prohibition. The Geo. Wiedemann Brewery was in Newport, Kentucky. But continuing Bock Week, it’s another beautiful illustration of a goat and his beer.
Monday’s ad is for Bock Beer, though it’s not clear who’s bock beer is being advertised. It is believed to be from around 1910 and was most likely created by the Northwestern Lithography Co. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. One auction house with an original for sale describes the ad as the “scene of lovely young lady whispering something into the ear of a goat, while a second lady brings a tray of beer, with Bock Beer below.” Was goat whispering a thing in the 1910s? How do they know that’s what she’s doing? Though she does have her arm around the goat, like they’re out on a date. Why do goats always have beautiful girlfriends?
Sunday’s ad is for Löwenbräu Bock, though again I’m not sure when the ad is originally from. The beer from Löwenbräu München is no longer made, and the brewery is currently owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev. But it’s another beautiful ad for Bock, featuring another really cool got. It looks like I’m on a roll this week with Bock ads, just like the goat on the barrel.
Saturday’s ad is for Pabst Bock, though I’m not sure when the ad is originally from. AT least one source says 1871 (and it certainly looks like it could be that old) but they appear to have used it for many years on signs and posters and some reproductions are as late as the 1950s. At any rate, it’s easy to see why. It’s a pretty awesome illustration of a goat.
Friday’s ad is for Sterk Brouwerij, from 1935. It was illustrated by Swiss artist Léo Marfurt. I think it’s a Belgian brewery, but I’m not actually sure and haven’t been able to find anything more about “Sterk Brouwerij Verschueren Sint-Niklaas.” I know that “Saint Nicholas” suggests it may be a Christmas beer, but apart from that nada. Still, it’s a pretty cool illustration.
Thursday’s New Year’s Eve ad is for Schaefer, from 1962. The ad features bandleader Guy Lombardo, who for years played live on television New Year’s Eve, so much so that he was nicknamed “Mr. New Year’s Eve.” What I didn’t know, which it says is the ad, is that he was also a “speedboat champion.” Who knew? A tuba player I played with in the 26th Army Band played with his band, The Royal Canadiens, after his discharge. Happy New Year.
