Wednesday’s ad is for Budweiser, from 1950. Here’s a great rule of thumb for living. “Some sort of recreation belongs in every one of your busy days.” If it’s croquet and drinking beer, I’m in. Especially if I get to dress up in the backyard. But I love croquet, used to play it at my grandmother’s place all the time growing up. Curiously, though, she never offered me a beer. I do like that their croquet set appears to have a place on it where you set down your beer. Ours didn’t have that.

Monday’s ad is yet another one for Budweiser, this one from maybe the late 1930s. “The Sensible Choice of those who guard their health.” According to the ad, Budweiser is the “favorite beer of athletes and sportsmen everywhere.” That’s because “Pure, wholesome food and drink are necessary to have and to keep a healthy body.” And Bud is made with a mixture of American hops and “imported Saazer hops.” Which apparently makes it “strength-building but not fattening.”

Sunday’s ad is another one for Budweiser, this one from 1950. I love the idea that Mother Nature is responsible bringing us beer, however this may be taking the thank you a bit too far. No fan of gardening myself, it seems like it would be even more difficult — nearly impossible I should think — trying to garden while holding a glass of beer in one hand.

Saturday’s ad is for Budweiser, from sometime in the 1970s, based on the collars and fashion. The ad is trying to get people to pick-a-pair, that is buy a six-pack, and in fact the ads wants people to do that “Twice!,” that is buy two six-packs. I grew up in a case state with weird, antiquated laws (Pennsylvania) so were twelve-packs not available yet in the 1970s? When did the twelve-pack debut? Anybody know? Because otherwise why not just advertise twelve-packs?

Thursday’s ad is another one for Budweiser, this time from 1934, just a year after prohibition. Showing an older gentlemen with his violin, the real harmony of the ad, they say, is a bite to eat and a beer. And this is great ad copy. “There are many times when just a simple sandwich and a bottle of Budweiser strike the right note.” But post-depression, he looks more like a man playing for his meal. I wouldn’t be surprised if that open case was in front of him on the ground. To me, it looks like his suit is too big, maybe from losing weight from not having enough to eat? And he’s reaching out his hand longingly for that beer, but it’s really too far away, isn’t it? Kind of sad ad, in the end.

Wednesday’s ad is for Budweiser, from the 1960s. Part of the “where there’s life” series of ads, this one focuses on the big cans, half quarts or as they jokingly say, “king size.” And each king size can apparently fill two glasses. It’s certainly captured the guy’s attention as he smirks and gives an intent sideways glance at the beer being poured, as he continues to eat from the bowl of popcorn in front of him. Maybe it’s just me, but who sits at a table and eats popcorn? Isn’t popcorn a watch something sort of food?

Tuesday’s ad is for Budweiser, from 1949. In the windy bleachers, watching a baseball game does look like an appetizing way to spend a day, especially if you have a hot dog and a beer. It’s too bad this idyllic picture of American life doesn’t really exist anymore, if indeed it ever did, because the beer and dog will run you some serious coin these days. Did they ever actually carry bottles around the stadium? I do miss the white paper hats worn by the vendors, though. There’s even one subversive rebel in this illustration. Do you see him? That fella in the middle, he’s not wearing a hat. He’s really living life, “every golden minute of it,” as the ad suggests, before ending with this ad copy. “Enjoy Budweiser, every golden drop of it.”

Saturday’s ad is yet another one for Budweiser, from 1956. “That Woman Is Real Competition.” DOn’t worry, she’s not being catty, the woman whispering in the ear of her friends qualifies her statement. “As a hostess, I mean.” Not only does she have “more original ideas for table setting than you can shake a stick at,” but she also serves Budweiser, only Budweiser. I’m curious, how many “original” ideas can there possibly be? But only one beer? C’mon lady, change it up a little on the beer, why don’t you?

Friday’s ad is another one for Budweiser, from 1941. So if you thought Budweiser advertising with a puppy was a recent phenomenon, your were wrong, as demonstrated by this World War 2-era ad. And not just one, but five adorable puppies. The ads end with this gem. “And there’s always Budweiser — the Friendly Host to a of friends.”

Thursday’s ad is for Budweiser, from 1910. This is an old ad, when clearly sensitivities were different. But check out the questionable ad copy, which few probably even thought twice about over 100 years ago. “Just as the American Indian chose his chieftain for deeds of valor in war, and wisdom in times of peace,
So has Budweiser, because of its Quality and Purity, been chosen by the American of today the Chief of all bottled beers.” It’s also interesting that a selling point was that was bottled only in St. Louis.