Friday’s ad is for an old Japanese beer, Kembang, from Soerabaja, Fukushima & Co. Though I can’t be sure, it has the look of western ads from the late 1800s, though the script is art nouveau, which is a little later in the early 20th century. Apparently Soerabaja (Surabaya) is the name of a small town in East Java, Indonesia
Thursday’s ad is from 1941, and is for Acme Beer, showing a decidedly western theme, showing a cowgirl and her horse. The slogan seems a bit confused, as I’m not sure what “Quality Wins Again!” has to do with the scene at hand. But I love the text under “Acme Beer.” It reads “* Dietetically NON-FATTENING” and the asterisk qualifies that statement with “* relatively so, compared with other foods.” The Main Institute would have a field day with that one, as their most recent campaign is against any perceived health claims made by alcohol companies, and the Acme Beer almost sounds like it might be good for you. Gasp!
Wednesday’s ad is from 1940, and is for a New Zealand beer, Waitemata, that today no is owned by DB Breweries but is no longer made by the giant brewing conglomerate. Great artwork, though the Sparkling Pale Ale the man is pouring doesn’t look especially pale. But you have to love that tagline. “Live life …. every golden minute of it …. Enjoy WAITEMATA …. every golden drop of it.”
Tuesday’s ad is an old one — from 1893 — for Pabst, showing an odd scene “In Darkest Africa.” The artwork is apparently depicting Emin Pascha inviting Stanley to lunch. Pascha was a doctor, explorer and governor of one of the Egyptian provinces after 1876. Stanley is the famous British explorer Henry M. Stanley who went looking for Dr. Livingstone, I presume. But the ad is showing another of Stanley’s expedition, from 1886-1889, known as the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition in which he led a party to rescue Pascha. Presumably that’s what the ad for Pabst’s Export Beer is playing against, as it was big news in its day, though the Africans are depicted in a less-than-flattering light.
Monday’s ad is for Acme Beer, and for Independence Day, too. I don’t know the age of the ad — 1930s perhaps? — but that is one seriously patriotic top hat. Happy 4th of July everybody.
Our 75th Guinness ad puts oysters and Guinness together. “Opening Time is Guinness Time.” Aw, shucks. Nice pun on opening time and opening oysters. And the ad concludes with this wisdom. “Guinness and oysters are good for you.”
Friday’s ad is for Ballantine and is somewhat patriotic, at least insofar as the beer is chilling in colonial looking drum with Americana all over it. Also, the wallpaper and the candle holder are also quite patriotic. So with the 4th of July weekend beckoning, it’s hard to agree with that slogan. “Warm Hospitality calls for Well-Chilled Beer.”
Thursday’s ad is for the Brasserie Karcher, from Paris, France. I’m not sure exactly when the ad is from, but I would have to guess late 19th century. The fetching woman holding out two mugs of beers appears to be standing confidently on a keg of Biere Karcher, despite wearing high heels.
Wednesday’s ad is from around the later 1920s and is for a Birmingham, England brewery known as Mitchells & Butlers, operating the Cape Hill Brewery. I love the idyllic scene of two mugs of beer, sitting on a bench surrounding a large tree, looking out over a field of grain. Now that’s “Good Honest Beer.”
Tuesday’s ad is from 1944 and features Miss Rheingold for that year, Jane House, emerging from a swimming pool. The curious thing is, she looks completely dry. Perhaps she’s one of those people who backs slowly into the water instead of just jumping right in.
