Our sixteenth Guinness poster by John Gilroy is a “Guinness For Strength” one, with a farmer, who’s presumably just down a Guinness, is pulling the horse cart while the horse rides in the cart, looking very satisfied.
Guinness Ad #15: Balancing Seal
Our fifteenth Guinness poster by John Gilroy is a balancing act, as a seal balances a bottle of Guinness on his nose while his exasperated trainer looks on. It’s also another ad using the “My Goodness, My Guinness” slogan.
Guinness Ad #14: Country Weathervane
Our fourteenth Guinness poster by John Gilroy is yet another variation on the iconic toucan on a weathervane, the difference here is he’s high above a country setting on a bright Spring day in the mountains above a lake where, as the tagline suggests, it’s a “Lovely day for a Guinness.”
Guinness Ad #13: Spyglass
Our lucky 13th Guinness poster by John Gilroy is another in the “Lovely Day For A Guinness” series, this time featuring a sailor spying a pint of Guinness through his telescope, while two seagulls circle him expectantly.
Guinness Ad #12: Stone Statue
Our twelfth Guinness poster by John Gilroy is another in the “Guinness For Strength” series, this time featuring a stone statue pining for a Guinness.
Guinness Ad #11: Construction Crane
Our eleventh Guinness poster by John Gilroy is another “My Goodness, My Guinness” one, this time featuring a crane about to snatch another construction worker’s Guinness.
Guinness Ad #10: Town Square Weathervane
Our tenth Guinness poster by John Gilroy is a variation on the iconic toucan on a weathervane, the difference here is he’s high above a town square on a bright Spring day where, as the tagline suggests, it’s a “Lovely day for a Guinness.”
Beer In Ads #67: Guinness’ Why Was The Hatter Mad?
Wednesday’s ad, since it’s St. Patrick’s Day, is for Guinness, but I wanted to pick one that wasn’t by John Gilroy. This one is a spoof of Alice in Wonderland from I don’t know when. The art is similar, of course, but it seems later. Beginning in 1903, numerous films have been made based on Lewis Carroll’s surreal story, but the Disney version from 1951 probably did more to popularize the story than any other, especially for kids. So based on that I’m just guessing this was before that since the artwork looks more inspired by the original illustrator, John Tenniel, than Walt. Anyway, the text spoofing the scene with the Mad Hatter is pretty funny. Happy Stout Day.
Why Was the Hatter Mad?
“Have some Guinness!” said the March Hare.
“I don’t see any Guinness,” Alice replied.
“There isn’t any” said the March Hare.
“Then you must be mad to offer me some!” said Alice indignantly.
“It’s after hours,” said the Hatter, “and we can’t get any. That’s enough to make anyone mad.”
“But surely you could have ordered some to drink at home,” said Alice.
“There!” said the March Hare. “We never though of that. That just shows how mad we must be.”
They Said It Couldn’t Be Done
Since it’s St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow and for most people that means Guinness, here’s a little reminder of something in Guinness’ recent past that I imagine they’d rather remained buried. But it’s just too funny not to share. In 1979, Guinness released a low-calorie beer they called “Guinness Light.” According to Ireland Fun Facts, “people here still talk about the advertising campaign, which used the tagline ‘they said it couldn’t be done.’ Apparently it couldn’t. Guinness Light flopped so sensationally it earned the title ‘The HMS Titanic of stout products’ from The Irish Times.”
It’s not hard to see why. I can scarcely imagine something more oxymoronic than Guinness Light. But for true liquid-shooting-out-your-nose laughs, watch the uber-bombastic television commercial that attempts to equate the beer with man landing on the moon. With bonus points for using the sunrise fanfare from “Thus Spake Zarathustra” by Richard Strauss (trust me, you’ll know it when you hear it), I love the editing of the people turning their heads quickly toward the camera and the faux echo chamber voice over. Just hilarious. But put your drink down first. Enjoy.
Guinness Ad #9: It’s A Poor Fish
Our ninth Guinness poster by John Gilroy features a frustrated goldfish who can’t reach a pint of Guinness just outside his fishbowl. Under the “Guinness For Strength” banner, it also uses the curious tagline. “It’s a poor fish that never has a Guinness.”
