Our 108th Guinness ad is from 1937, showing our intrepid zookeeper running from a lion, though the lion doesn’t look particularly menacing. He looks more thirsty, with his tongue hanging out in the hopes of getting some of the zookeeper’s Guinness.
Beer In Ads #550: If You’re Looking Out For #1, You Should Be Carrying #2
Friday’s ad is another one for Molson, from 1985. Based on the headline — “If You’re Looking Out For #1, You Should Be Carrying #2” — it’s undoubtedly from a trade magazine rather than a consumer publication. Apparently in 1985, Molson was the second best-selling imported beer, which is remarkable because as long as I can remember it was Heineken and Corona that were in the top spots.
Beer In Ads #549: Make Sure It’s Molson
Thursday’s ad is for Molson, from — I’m just guessing — the 1960s or 70s. I love the tray, and that ad copy. “Thirsting for the best of Canada? Make sure it’s Molson.”
Beer In Ads #548: 33 Fine Brews Blended into One Great Beer
Wednesday’s ad is for Pabst, probably from the late 1930s, early 40s. The cartoon tells the story of Pabst Blue Ribbon blending 33 different (not that different, obviously) beers to create PBR. Or as they put it, “33 Fine Brews Blended into One Great Beer.” Apparently it’s the blending that gives it “that swell flavor.”
Beer In Ads #547: Some Day All beer Cans Will Open This Easy!
Tuesday’s ad is for Schlitz, from the 1960s, when they debuted the “Aluminum soft top” can, which according to the ad was much easier to open than the “old hard way.” They billed it as the “world’s easiest opening beer can!” I’m not sure about their prophecy that “Some day all beer cans will open this easy!” Time seems to have passed by that innovation.
Beer In Ads #546: Shiner Texas Special
Monday’s ad is the companion to yesterday’s Beer In Art post, Gil Elvgren’s Shiner Texas Special. After Elvgren finished the artwork, Shiner marketing applied the text and logo in upper righthand corner. The result, I think, is a pretty great looking ad.
Guinness Ad #107: Waterloo Bridge Is Coming Down
Our 107th Guinness ad is from 1934, showing a man drinking a Guinness leaning against the bridge. But the strength he received from drinking his Guinness was apparently enough to knock over the bridge. Now that’s a pretty impressive claim.
Beer In Ads #545: Federal Brewing Company
Friday’s ad is another turn of the last century ad, this one from the Federal Brewing Company of Brooklyn, New York. The ad is from 1905, though the brewery closed its doors two years later. It appears, though, that Federal Brewing may be resurrected soon as a new craft brewery.
Beer In Ads #544: Hudson County Consumers
Thursday’s ad is also an older one, most likely from the first decade of the 20th century, over 100 years ago. It’s for Hudson County Consumers Brewing, which I presume was located in New Jersey. Hudson County includes Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne, Weehawken and others. It looks a tad grandiose to me. And is that a woman or a man in the costume, holding up the mug of beer?
Beer In Ads #543: Rieger & Gretz
Wednesday’s ad is from 1908, for a Philadelphia brewery by the name of Rieger & Gretz Brewers and Bottlers. I love the idyll setting with the well-to-do woman enjoying a beer on her estate. I can’t imagine most beer drinking was like that in 1908.
