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Jay R. Brooks on Beer

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Beer Birthday: Gary Bogoff

August 5, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Today is the 72nd birthday of Gary Bogoff (August 5, 1953- ). Originally a general contractor and cabinet maker, he and a few co-founders started the Berkshire Brewing Co. of South Deerfield, Masachusetts in 1994. I have a soft spot for the brewery because years ago (I don’t remember where, to be honest) I won a silent auction for an early sign from the brewery depicting a train that I bid on because my son Porter is obsessed with trains, even as an adult. I’ve never met Gary, but maybe one of these days. Join me in wishing Gary a very happy birthday.

Gary at the brewery bar.
An early photo of Gary after he started the brewery, from the official website.

Filed Under: Birthdays, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Massachusetts

Beer Birthday: Aaron Mateychuk

August 4, 2025 By Jay Brooks

lookout-farm
Today is also the birthday of Aaron Mateychuk, former brewmaster of Watch City Brewing in Waltham, Massachusetts. I met Aaron during CBC week when the Craft Brewers Conference was in Boston in 2009, and we almost got together when he was in San Francisco a couple of years ago, but kept crossing paths instead. More recently, Aaron’s running the Lookout Farm Brewing & Hard Cider Co. in Natick, Massachusetts. Join me in wishing Aaron a very happy birthday.

IMG_1191
Giving a tour in 2009 during the Craft Brewers Conference in Boston.

Aaron-Mateychuk-1
Aaron with his wife Jennifer, in a Toronado t-shirt.

Aaron-Mateychuk-2
And at the Toronado.

Aaron
Aaron at his new gig.

Note: The second and third photos purloined from Facebook, and the last is from Lookout’s website.

Filed Under: Birthdays Tagged With: Massachusetts

Beer In Ads #4989: You’ll Like Pickwick Bock Beer

June 5, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. Bock, of course, may have 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 Pickwick Bock Beer. The ad was published on June 5, 1951. The brewery was the Haffenreffer Brewery of Boston, Massachusetts, which was originally founded in 1870. It was located in the Jamaica Plain area of Boston, and today the site of the brewery is where the Boston Beer Co. operates one of its breweries. This ad ran in The Boston Globe, of Boston, Massachusetts.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Bock, Boston, History, Massachusetts

Beer In Ads #4960: Pickwick Bock Beer

May 5, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. Bock, of course, may have 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.

Monday’s ad is for Pickwick Bock Beer and was published May 5, 1951. The brewery was the Haffenreffer Brewery of Boston, Massachusetts, which was originally founded in 1870. It was located in the Jamaica Plain area of Boston, and today the site of the brewery is where the Boston Beer Co. has operates one of its breweries. This ad ran in The Morning Union, of Springfield, Massachusetts.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Bock, History, Massachusetts

Beer In Ads #4889: Boylston Bock In Color

February 22, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last 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.

Saturday’s ad for “Boylston Bock,” was created in the 1930s, and is a colorized reproduction of yesterday’s poster. which was originally from around 1890. The Boylston Brewery was located in Boston, Massachusetts. The originaly lithographer was Donaldson Litho. of Newport, Kentucky, but this reproduction was done by Erie Lithograph & Printing of Pennsylvania, who are best known for their circus posters. One of its most prominent artists was “John Seyschab [who] studied art in his native Nuremberg, Germany, before coming to Erie and Erie Lithograph in 1917.”

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Bock, Boston, History, Massachusetts

Beer In Ads #4888: Boylston Bock

February 21, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last 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 for “Boylston Bock,” was created sometime before 1918, and most likely around 1890, plus or minus, known as both the Boylston Brewery and Haffenreffer & Co., which were their trade names from their founding in 1870 until Prohibition. The brewery was located in Boston, Massachusetts. The lithographer was Donaldson Litho. of Newport, Kentucky.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Bock, History, Massachusetts

Beer In Ads #4886: The Boss Lager

February 19, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last 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.

Wednesday’s ad for “Bock” was created for the Jacob Wirth, a restaurant at 60 Elliot Street in Boston, Massachusetts. While it’s titled “The Boss Lager,” there are several references and mentions of bock. The poster depicts a strongman astride a giant beer bottle, holding a wood cask on his shoulder, all while the bottle is affixed to a large goat. The restaurant is shown on the right, and in the street next to the goat, a man with muttonchops is pouring a beer for Uncle Sam. There’s also a crowd of people on the left, including several more goats, and at least one of them is shouting: “No use!! We can’t Bock it!!! Let’s get!” The lithograph was created in 1877, and was published by A. Trochsler & Co. Lithographers, who were located at 292 Washington Street in Boston.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Bock, Boston, History, Massachusetts

Beer In Ads #4884: Pfaff’s Bock

February 17, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last 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.

Monday’s ad for “Bock” was created for the H. & J. Pfaff Brewing Co., which was located in Boston Massachusetts. They were in business from 1857 until 1918. The lithograph was created in 1877, and was published by A. Trochsler & Co. Lithographers, also of Boston. The artist who created it was Charles Wellington Reed, who in addition to his work as an illustrator and artist, he was also at the Battle of Gettysburg, where he received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Bock, Boston, History, Massachusetts

Beer In Ads #4882: G.F. Burkhardt’s Bock Beer

February 15, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last 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.

Saturday’s ad for “Bock” was created for the G.F. Burkhardt Brewing Co., which was located in Boston Massachusetts. They were in business from 1850 until 1918. The lithograph was created in 1877. The artist who created it was Charles Wellington Reed, who in addition to his work as an illustrator and artist, he was also at the Battle of Gettysburg, where he received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Bock, Boston, History, Massachusetts

Beer In Ads #4849: Roessle Bock

January 12, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Last 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.

Sunday’s ad for “Bock” is for the Roessle Brewery of Boston, Massachusetts. The chromolithograph was created in 1894. The lithographer was H. Schile & Co. of 295 Bowery in New York City. Henry Jerome Schile was born in Germany, and emigrated to the U.S. in 1851, settling in Manhattan, which is where he opened his own print company. 

Filed Under: Art & Beer, Beers, Just For Fun Tagged With: Advertising, Bock, Boston, History, Massachusetts, New York

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