Sunday’s ad is for Budweiser, from 1977. The ad originally ran in Ebony magazine. “When Do You Say Bud? After the work is done, or right in the middle of the fun.” And by fun, they appear to mean painting.
Beer In Ads #1691: When Do You Say Bud?
Beer In Ads #1690: From Chesapeake Bay …
Saturday’s ad is for National Bohemian Light Beer, from 1959. The syntax in the ad copy just seems odd. “From Chesapeake Bay … land of pleasant living we bring you this quality beer.” Seems like a “ta-da” moment with no payoff, just a picture of a boat, an illustrated beer bottle, and the silhouette of a beer glass containing the ad copy.
Beer In Ads #1689: Good Taste That Never Misses
Friday’s ad is for Blatz Pilsener Beer, from 1945. It’s a good slogan, “Good Taste that never misses,” especially with the archery-themed ad. But they just can’t stop the bow and arrow puns, ending with “When Good Taste is your aim, count on Blatz.”
Beer In Ads #1688: Hem And Haw On Flavor
Thursday’s ad is for Schlitz, from 1963. This is from the “Real Gusto” series that Schlitz ran for a few years in the 1960s. This one featured, unusually, a ginger man, but it was this sentence in the ad copy that really caught my eye. “It’s brewed light (with just the kiss of the hops) yet it doesn’t hem and haw on flavor.” That’s an awesome turn of phrase. Next time I find a weak beer, it will definitely “hem and haw on flavor.”
Beer In Ads #1687: The New Washing Machine
Wednesday’s ad is for Ballantine Ale, from 1943. “How American it is … to want something better!” Look how happy the woman is that her smug man got her a machine so she can keep washing his clothes. Apparently during World War 2, many people put off spending money on new luxuries and even Ballantine was looking forward with great anticipation to the day when people could go crazy with their spending … like today.
Beer In Ads #1686: Burning The Mortgage
Tuesday’s ad is for Miller High Life, from the 1940s. “A toast to you — with The Champagne of Bottled Beer.” The assembled group drinking beer is celebrating the tradition known as “Burning the Mortgage.” I have heard of these, but I don’t think this is something many people do anymore. Probably because we don’t stay in one house for very long. Nice they got their servent to dress up as the Miller Girl to serve the beer.
Beer In Ads #1685: Deep Sea Beer Diving
Monday’s ad is for Schlitz, from 1950. This is from Schlitz’s long-running three-panel “I was curious” series. In this one, a deep sea diver is coaxed out of the water by dangling cans of Schlitz in his face. Once on dry land, he had a beer and a sandwich. I’m not sure if it was the sammy or the beer, but it put a smile on his face. I’m going with the beer.
Beer In Ads #1684: Dealer’s Choice
Sunday’s ad is for Carling’s Red Cap Ale, from 1946. This is for the “Brewing Corporation of America‘s” Carling, based in Cleveland, Ohio.
The BCA “Cleveland Plant” on Quincy Ave., also in 1946, from a company brochure.
The ad, with the headline “Dealer’s Choice,” shows a kindly old grocer, the kind that probably never existed, putting single bottles of in her basket as he seems to be staring at her with an odd look on his face. But I do love that hat she’s wearing, and notice she’s also wearing gloves with a short sleeve dress. I guess that’s what “taste-wise customers” wear when they’re buying a “mild, mature ale.”
Beer In Ads #1683: Great Stuff This Bass
Saturday’s ad is for Bass Ale, from the 1940s. It’s a curious little ad. The block in the upper righthand corner with “Fishing” on it seems to suggest it was part of a series. I guess either he’s so engrossed in his fishing or he’s had enough Bass Ale that he didn’t even notice a tiny man put a ladder on his back, climbed up and attached a sign to his back. “Great Stuff This Bass”
Beer In Ads #1682: Be Light-Hearted! Stay Light-Hearted!
Friday’s ad is for Carling’s Red Cap Ale, from 1952. “Be Light-Hearted! Stay Light-Hearted! Step up to Carling’s!” The illustration shows a couple entwined with beer mugs, but apparently disagreeing on why they like the beer. One says “Light as the smoothest drink!” The other one believes its “Hearty as only an ale can be!” My vote is for hearty.
