Friday’s ad is for the Columbia Brewing Co. of St. Louis, Missouri, from 1896. I love these old 19th century ads that were such artistic marvels. It’s hard not to love such patriotic posturing, trying to rule the world of beer.
Beer In Ads #899: Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association
Thursday’s ad is for the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association, from the 1890s. I love these old 19th century ads that were such artistic marvels. Though I confess I’m not sure why there’s a baby about to fall, but who’s still hanging on to their empty glass.
Beer In Ads #898: Finest Beer I Ever Tasted
Wednesday’s ad is for Schafer, from 1948. Yesterday, Porter and I just watched Blazing Saddles — me for the umpteenth time and Porter for the very first time — so a Hedy Lamarr (“that’s Hedley!“) seemed the perfect ad for the day.
Beer In Ads #897: A Toast To You
Tuesday’s ad is for Miller High Life, from 1949. The scene in the ad depicts a ceremonial burning of the mortgage — presumably because it’s now paid off and not in protest — with the assembled party goers toasting the event with beer, and making the comparison to champagne that Miller continually advanced as its selling point. It’s funny to think that there was a time when people actually paid off their mortgages in full and owned their homes outright, but it happened. It was even relatively common enough back then that it could be used in a beer ad. But when’s the last time you heard of that happening recently?
Beer In Ads #896: It’s The Little Extras
Monday’s ad is for Schlitz, from 1951. It’s an odd ad, showing “the little “extras’ that make Schlitz the best-liked beer in history,” a claim that’s awfully hard to prove. But those extras? Those are easier. It’2 1) extra clarity, 2) extra freshness, and 3) that extra clean taste.
Beer In Ads #895: What Made Milwaukee Change Its Mind?
Friday’s ad is for Blatz Beer, from 1953. Oddly, showing the evolution of bowling, equating that to the march of progress. In “modern times,” the bowlers of Milwaukee all drink Blatz, apparently. I love the red belt and red argyle socks that the “modern” man is wearing. Now that’s a modern outfit.
Beer In Ads #894: Taste And Enjoy This Truly Genuine Beer
Thursday’s ad is for Miller Beer, from 1959. It’s another one of Miller’s minimalist ads from the late fifties. Showing a scene that’s looks to be a fancy cocktail party, but one where tuxedoed guests sit on the floor and there’s a gold plated beer bucket cooling the Miller High Life. I have to wonder, though. What exactly is “truly genuine.”
Beer In Ads #893: Boy! Make Mine Ruppert
Wednesday’s ad is for Ruppert Knickerbocker Beer, from 1947. Ah, what innocence … a time when yelling “Boy!” was considered acceptable. He looks more like a milk delivery person, but I assume it’s meant to be at a baseball game, meaning it’s also odd that they’re showing glass bottles. I also love that slogan. “Slow Aged for Finer Flavor.” As opposed to fast aging?
Beer In Ads #892: Something More Than Beer
Tuesday’s ad is for Budweiser, from the 1951. Showing a couple wearing near-matching outfits, and certainly the exact same apron, with the man having constructed a gadget to do as little work as possible while the meat on the grill cooks. Check out his socks, and the white bucks. They never quite explain what the “Something more than Beer” might be, but apparently it’s “The Companion of Contentment.”
Beer In Ads #891: Good Living At The Beach
Monday’s ad is for Schlitz, from the 1955. It’s one of their “Know the real joy of good living …” series of ads, shows a couple at the beach, though they don’t actually look anywhere near sand or a spot where they could get onto the water. All I see are high, rocky cliffs. Maybe that’s why, despite the towel around his neck, they’re both bone dry.
