Two years ago I decided to concentrate on Bock ads for awhile. 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. With Spring approaching, there are so many great examples that I’m going to post two a day for a few months.

Wednesday’s ad is for Flint Bock Beer, which was published on July 8, 1903. This ad was for Flint Brewing Co. of Flint, Michigan, which was originally founded in 1874. It’s kind of hilarious that the tagline starts with “Absolutely the Finest Beer Ever Sold in the City,” but then ends with “Exactly Like Imported Beer” like that’s a selling point. This ad ran in the Flint Journal, also of Flint, Michigan.

Two years ago I decided to concentrate on Bock ads for awhile. 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. With Spring approaching, there are so many great examples that I’m going to post two a day for a few months.

Friday’s ad is for XXX Bock Beer, which was published on July 3, 1870. The bock in question was brewed for them by the Milwaukee Brewery of Detroit, Michigan, which was founded in 1866 by William Voigt. This ad was for “Del’s Tavern located at the corner of Third and Vine”Something Never Seen Before!, or the “Grand Reception of King ‘Gambrinus,’ in Detroit, on the 4th Day of July,” to be held at Long’s Saloon at No. 34 Monroe Ave. in Detroit, Michigan, which was part of the historic Monroe Avenue Commercial Buildings. This ad ran in the Detroit Free Press, also of Detroit, Michigan.

Two years ago I decided to concentrate on Bock ads for awhile. 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. With Spring approaching, there are so many great examples that I’m going to post two a day for a few months.

Thursday’s ad is for Menominee Bock Beer, which was published on June 4, 1938. This ad was for the Menominee-Marinette Brewing Co. of Menominee, Michigan, which was originally founded in 1870, though it wasn’t known as Menominee-Marinette until after Prohibition. This ad ran in The Escanaba Daily Press, of Escanaba, Michigan. While overall it’s not a terribly exciting ad, there are two features that make it stand out. First, what the hell is the Smeltania? It turns out it was “a historic ‘city on the ice’ and a modern winter festival in Boyne City, Michigan. It gets its name from the legendary, bustling shanty villages that popped up on Lake Charlevoix during the winter to catch smelt.” It appeared to be a thriving festival in the 1930s but eventually died out, and was resurrected recently, but that attempt appears to have also fizzled out. You can read about it in this short article from the Lake Charlevoix Association. The second feature is the phrase “For Home Use!” which strikes me as a hilarious way to say you don’t have to go to the bar, but can continue drinking beer at home.

Here are some photos from the Smeltania during its heyday:

Two years ago I decided to concentrate on Bock ads for awhile. 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. With Spring approaching, there are so many great examples that I’m going to post two a day for a few months.

Monday’s ad is for Menominee Genuine Bock Beer, which was published on June 1, 1941. This ad was for the Menominee-Marinette Brewing Co., of Menominee, Michigan, which was founded in 1870 as the De Heck & Scharmbruch Brewery. This ad ran in The Escanaba Daily Press, of Escanaba, Michigan.

Two years ago I decided to concentrate on Bock ads for awhile. 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. With Spring approaching, there are so many great examples that I’m going to post two a day for a few months.

Sunday’s ad is for Frey Bros. Celebrated Bock Beer, which was published on May 10, 1878. This ad was for the Frey Bros. Brewery of Grand Rapids, Michigan., which was originally founded in 1872 and also traded under the name Coldbook Brewery. This ad ran in The Grand Rapids Eagle, also of Grand Rapids, Michigan.