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.
Wednesday’s holiday ad is for Budweiser, from 1962. The slogan “A Tradition in Hospitality” was used by Anheuser-Busch in holiday ads over a number of years, from at least the 1940s. It’s quite a spread they’ve put out; large turkey, grapes and a Jell-O mold in the background. Who the hell is serving Jello-O with dinner?
Tuesday’s holiday ad is for Ruppert Knickerbocker Beer, from 1942. It’s a nice simple ad with just a glass of beer and an empty bottle below a Christmas tree. I especially like that it’s tilted to fit more in the frame of the photo.
Monday’s holiday ad is for Michelob, from 1980. This holiday ad for Michelob featured actor John Forsythe, who’s best know for being the voice of Charlie in Charlie’s Angels and on the 1980s TV show Dynasty. And right before joining the cast of Dynasty, he did this ad for Michelob, where he’s putting out some bottles of beer into a bowl of ice for a party. Notice the six-pack in the corner that’s been decorated with a wreath. I can’t say I recall them doing special holiday carriers, but then I didn’t really drink the beer in 1980, either.
Sunday’s holiday ad is for two breweries — Griesedieck Bros. Brewing Co. and Utica Club. I think it’s from the 1950s and appears to be a stock photo, probably meant to be used by newspapers to advertise either one of the brands, and it was simply cheaper to produce one photo. Happily, you rarely see white wreaths these days.
Saturday’s holiday ad is for Mac’s, from New Zealand. The ad is a fairly recent one, from 2014. Originally known as McCashins Brewery, for founder Terry McCashin, it was New Zealand’s first craft brewery when it opened in 1981. But almost everybody called it Mac’s, and that’s the name it goes by today, and for most of its existence. But the ad is pure genius, taking Mac’s distinctive bottle and having look like a dead beer ringer for the man in red. It almost makes me wish I had some in the cooler.
Friday’s holiday ad is for Miller High Life, from 1949. One of my favorite Christmas ads, featuring a version of Miller’s “Girl in the Moon,” with a wreath around the moon as she offers “Season’s Greetings” and “A Holiday toast to you from the National Champion of Quality … Miller High Life.”
Thursday’s holiday ad is for Acme, from 1948. San Francsico’s Acme Breweries got famed pin-up artist Alberto Varga to create the artwork for their annual Christmas card, this one, of course, for 1948 as they also wish everyone a great next year. “May the Christmas Season be a Merry One … and ’49 a Golden Year for You!” I guess she must be Mrs. Claus? Have a happy and hoppy holiday!
