Thursday’s holiday ad is a postcard from 1908 entitled simply “A Happy New Year.” The postcard shows a pair of young lads tapping a decorated wooden keg and filling their mugs to toast in the new year.
Beer In Ads #1421: Handsome Gift For The New Year
Wednesday’s holiday ad for Carlsberg, from who knows when. Admittedly it’s an ad for the Chinese New Year, but there’s a distinct lack of New Year’s Eve ads that I haven’t used before. This ad was for Singapore and “the Federation” which may help identify its age. Your “Handsome Gift for the New Year” is a free Carlsberg pint glass with every carton you buy.
Beer In Ads #1420: The Pabst Ski Lodge
Tuesday’s holiday ad for Pabst Blue Ribbon, from 1946. IN a scene that looks like it’s after a long day skiing, a couple is relaxing back in the lodge, by the fireplace, as the man is serving mugs of Pabst. “Order it with Confidence … Serve it with Pride.” I’m not sure about the smile on him, it looks a little creepy to me. So maybe they’re not a couple after all, her smile seems a bit forced, so maybe this is a pickup attempt?
Beer In Ads #1419: Seasons Greetings From Robbin Bain
Monday’s holiday ad for Rheingold Beer, from 1959, and features Miss Rheingold from that year, Robbin Bain. Sitting in a beautiful white dress, wrapping the last presents, in front of a fully decorated Christmas tree — that’s got to be at least an eight-footer! — and it certainly looks like a holiday party should be taking place any minute.
Beer In Ads #1418: There’s Only One Favorite
Sunday’s holiday ad is for Miller High Life, from 1950. In the days after Christmas, with all of your presents laid out, having been played with or used, one apparently emerges as the favorite. Just like “The Highlander,” I guess “there can be only one.” This guy (I’m presuming it was a guy) did pretty well. He appears to have received a rifle (or rifle case), a thermos, bowling ball, fishing basket, along with a rod and reel, binoculars, camera, books, a barometer and a set of golf clubs. But the ad would have us believe it was the Miller High Life that emerged as the favorite beer.
Beer In Ads #1417: Is This Something Special?
Saturday’s holiday ad is for Ballantine Ale, from 1954. “Is this something special? It certainly is … that’s Ballantine Ale.” There are three people at this tree-trimming party (note the three bottles of Ballantine) but only one person appears to be doing any work. The woman’s glass of beer sits unsipped on the silver tray, while the man on the left has started drinking his and the man on the right looks as if he’s just topped himself off. The woman is looking back at the the two dudes with an expression that says “you lazy chuckleheads.”
Beer In Ads #1416: A Tradition … Good Taste
Friday’s holiday ad is for Blatz Pilsener Beer, from 1945. A woman in a red dress looks longingly up at a sprig of mistletoe, while a bottle of beer sits peacefully in the corner. I think she’s hoping for someone to walk by. Perhaps the beer is bait? Although it does seem to be just hanging in the air, so maybe it’s a magical bottle of beer.
Beer In Ads #1415: Hail To A Merry Christmas
Thursday’s holiday ad is for Ballantine Ale, from 1938. It’s an extremely odd Christmas ad, with all of the adults standing around the decorated tree, beer in one hand, and with the other, well, holding up the “ok” or Ballantine ring sign. They almost look like they’re part of a cult, don’t they? Merry Christmas. Hail Christmas.
Beer In Ads #1414: May Your Christmas Be Merry
Wednesday’s holiday ad is yet another one for Carling Black Label, this time from 1955. It’s a simple ad showing a bottle of Carling Black Label, a full glass of beer and a small yule log with a candle burning on it, with some Christmas balls and grass surrounding it, and a scroll with the following on it. “May Your Christmas be merry, your New Year full of happiness …” and then it’s signed “from all your friends at Carling’s.” It’s also one of those magic bottles common in ads at that time. Even though the bottle is only about one-third empty, the pilsner glass is filled to the brim. So either it’s a ginormous bottle or a tiny glass. It can’t be both, can it? Happy Christmas Eve. May Your Christmas Be Merry.
Beer In Ads #1413: Happy Holidays Ahead …
Tuesday’s holiday ad is another one for Carling Black Label, this time from 1958, also during the “Hey, Mabel” years, but when they transitioning to “People try it … and they like it!” as a tagline. But I especially love the festive beer glass with the Christmas tree painted on it, complete with presents underneath. Happy Christmas Eve Eve.
