Friday’s holiday ad — believe it or not, the 500th ad I’ve posted! — is for Schaefer beer. I don’t think it is, strictly speaking, an ad but a display piece, presumably for a bar or a retail store. I’m not sure of its age, but I’m guessing 1950s. I like the subtle double meaning of the slogan “Merry Christmas All Around!” Or maybe I’m reading too much into it, but it seems like both wishing everyone around a Merry Christmas and buying them “a round” … of Schaefer.
Thursday’s holiday ad is another one for Rheingold Extra Dry Lager Beer, from 1952. This time, Miss Rheingold 1952, Anne Hogan, is out singing Christmas carols by herself, which means she has to hold both the lamp and the songbook.
Wednesday’s holiday ad is for Rheingold Extra Dry Lager Beer, from 1955. The ad features Miss Rheingold from that year, Nancy Woodruff, out singing Christmas carols with a “friend.”
Tuesday’s holiday ad is for Schlitz, from 1959. The ad shows a couple, with the man holding a beer and the woman a small, wrapped Christmas gift. But what’s not clear is whether they’re outside or if that snowy tree-lined scene behind them is looking through a large window. Because they don’t look like they’re dressed warmly enough to be outside, but I see no signs of a window, either. But I love the slogan. “Know the real joy of good living ….”
Monday’s holiday ad is for the Canadian beer O’Keefe Ale, from 1958. With the slogan “… dans l’esprit des fetes!” — “in the holiday spirit” — it features a fetching couple under the mistletoe pouring a glass of O’Keefe Ale.
Our 97th Guinness ad shows an original sketch for ad that may or may not have ever been used. It shows a rhinoceros in the zoo, with the zookeeper peering around the corner as the rhino holds on to his bottle of Guinness for dear life. I think it’s safe to assume he’s not getting that beer back. The slogan for the ad is “My Goodness, My Guinness.”
Thursday’s ad is holiday ad for Michelob, from 1963. Their suggestion, “This year buy him a beer” seems like a good one, though in truth Michelob probably wouldn’t be the one I”d want, but maybe that’s just me. I love how they spin it in the ad copy. They refer to giving Michelob as an “unhackneyed” gift, “whether beer lover or bottle fancier.”
Wednesday’s ad is another holiday one for Schlitz, this one from 1960. She certainly looks ready to party, handing our glasses of beer. I want to be at her Christmas party.
And here’s a better scan of the ad, but smaller.
Tuesday’s ad begins the holiday season for beer ads, and our first this year is for Schlitz, most likely from the 1950s. With the slogan “light refreshment for your holidays,” the ad shows a couple having a few beers by the tree. The woman lounges on a sofa, as the man presumably just gave her a present to open. She certainly looks happy; is it the warm glow of Schlitz or the anticipation of opening a decidedly jewelry box sized gift?
Monday’s ad is a somewhat creepy one from 1943 for Pabst Blue Ribbon. I’m sorry, but those blue ribbon people I find just way too freaky. And how about that copy? “This is the Banker of Blue Ribbon Town who formerly wore a Peppermint Frown.” WTF?!
