Brookston Beer Bulletin

Jay R. Brooks on Beer

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Beer In Ads #4821: The King & Queen Of Bock

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This year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. Bock, of course, originated in Germany, in the town of Einbeck. Because many 19th century American breweries were founded by German immigrants, they offered a bock at certain times of the year, be it Spring, Easter, Lent, Christmas, or what have you. In a sense they were some of the first seasonal beers. “The style was later adopted in Bavaria by Munich brewers in the 17th century. Due to their Bavarian accent, citizens of Munich pronounced ‘Einbeck’ as ‘ein Bock’ (a billy goat), and thus the beer became known as ‘Bock.’ A goat often appears on bottle labels.” And presumably because they were special releases, many breweries went all out promoting them with beautiful artwork on posters and other advertising.

Friday’s ad depicts a king, possibly a queen, and, naturally, a Goat, created in 1891. The lithographer was R.H. Eichner & Co., a lithography and publishing company in Baltimore, Maryland.

Beer In Ads #4813: 1876 Bock

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This year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. Bock, of course, originated in Germany, in the town of Einbeck. Because many 19th century American breweries were founded by German immigrants, they offered a bock at certain times of the year, be it Spring, Easter, Lent, Christmas, or what have you. In a sense they were some of the first seasonal beers. “The style was later adopted in Bavaria by Munich brewers in the 17th century. Due to their Bavarian accent, citizens of Munich pronounced ‘Einbeck’ as ‘ein Bock’ (a billy goat), and thus the beer became known as ‘Bock.’ A goat often appears on bottle labels.” And presumably because they were special releases, many breweries went all out promoting them with beautiful artwork on posters and other advertising.

Thursday’s ad is for Bock Beer, and was created in 1876 for the F. Klemm Brewery of Baltimore, Maryland. The lithographer was A. Hoen & Co., who was also located in Baltimore.

Beer Birthday: Brad Klipner

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Today is the 38th birthday of Brad Klipner, who writes the beer blog Beer in Baltimore. Brad also does marketing for Baltimore Beer Week and recently took a job as sales manager for DuClaw Brewing. Brad and I have corresponded numerous times but have not yet had an opportunity to drink a beer in person yet. Join me in wishing him a very happy birthday.

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Thumbs up for beer.

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With a bevy of beery beauties.

Beer In Ads #297: From Chesapeake Bay Land Of Pleasant Living …

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Wedneday’s ad is for Baltimore’s National Bohemian Light Beer. It ran in Life magazine in 1959. The tagline is a mouthfull: “From Chesapeake Bay land of pleasant we bring you this quality beer.” And from the insets at the bottom, the Chesapeake Bay area was also the “land of fun,” the “land of history,” and the “land of good food.”

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Beer In Art #89: Baltimore Beer-Drinking Immigrant Family

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Most of the details about today’s work of art are unknown to me, but despite that it still was too good not to feature. All I know is that it depicts an immigrant family, originally from the Netherlands, living in Baltimore, Maryland and was painted by the father of the family shown in the painting.

It apparently hangs in the museum of the Maryland Historical Society. Unfortunately, I can find no information about it on their website. They appear to have quite a few paintings online, but not knowing the artist or the title of the painting makes it a bit more difficult to find. I don’t even know when it was painted, but I’m guessing the late 1800s or the very early part of the 20th century.

Most of the adults have a beer in their hand. I count a total of nine glasses of beer. The couple in the center foreground look sickly, almost pale enough to be considered zombies. But it’s still a very compelling painting. If anyone has any actual details about the painting, please do let me know.

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Beer In Ads #94: National Bohemian’s Wet, Cold & Delicious

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Friday’s ad closes strange glances week with a 1957 ad for National Bohemian. The ad’s tagline is “Wet, Cold and Delicious … just the way you want your beer.” The woman in the bathing cap, popping up out of the water at the side of the pool is likewise certainly wet, possibly cold though I’m touching that last one. Still, I think it’s fair to assume that it was their unspoken plan to suggest that connection. Then there’s that hilariously odd sideways glance as she eyes the beer bottle.

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If you want to see a larger size ad, there is one here, though the text is cropped.

Beer In Ads #81: National Beer’s Private Signals

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Tuesday’s ad is a maritime ad complete with the signal flags ships use to communicate with one another. The ad is from 1960 and is for National Brewing, from Baltimore. Did you know the Chesapeake Bay area is the “Land of Pleasant Living?” Me neither. I also love the unusual glass, no doubt chosen so we could see more of the poster of flags through it. The bottom stem looks a bit like an upside down bottle neck, doesn’t it?

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First Beer & Bacon Festival Scheduled

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Ah, to be in Baltimore in the fall. The sound of pirates, the taste of beer and the sizzling goodness of bacon. That has all the makings of a wonderfully wacky and enjoyable event. Clipper City Brewing has just announced the 1st annual Heavy Seas Beer & Bacon Festival — Pyrates, Pigs and Pints. It will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at the brewery in Baltimore. If you don’t recognize the significance of September 19, it’s Talk Like A Pirate Day.

From the press release:

Clipper City Brewing Company, brewers of the Heavy Seas brand, is a proud supporter of National Talk Like A Pirate Day and a true fan of bacon the world over. In the hopes that all those aspiring pirates will join them in the celebration of this heritage, the brewers have banded together to create the 1st Annual Beer & Bacon Festival on September 19th from Noon – 4pm. Tickets are limited to the first 350 who sign on board and the day will be filled with over 15 types of bacon from all over the world to sample, ten beers to sample, the bacon explosion, live music from Dirty Secret and even HUMAN BACON — walking around. Many of Baltimore finest restaurants, bars and foodie haunts will be on hand including: Alonso’s, Bad Decisions, Ciao Bella, Crazy Lil’s, Abercrombie, Captain Thom, Marsh’s Chili, Whisky Island Spices, Pussy Kat Punters, Sweet Kascade’s, Kooper’s, Slainte, and many more.

It includes a bacon tasting! Now that’s a great idea. I need to attend more bacon tastings.

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