Brookston Beer Bulletin

Jay R. Brooks on Beer

  • Home
  • About
  • Editorial
  • Birthdays
  • Art & Beer

Socialize

  • Dribbble
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • GitHub
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Powered by Genesis

Historic Beer Birthday: Philip R. Ebling

November 12, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Today is the birthday of Philip R. Ebling (November 12, 1830-October 12, 1895). Along with his brother William Ebling, he founded the Ebling Brewing Co., which was known by several different names during its life from 1868 to 1950, including the Philip Ebling & Bro. Wm., Aurora Park Brewery, Ph. & Wm. Ebling Brewing Co. and Ebling Brewing Co., which was its name almost the entirety of the 20th century, both before and after prohibition.

This short biography is from his Find-a-Grave page:

Philip R. Ebling, was born at the family home in Monsheim, near the city of Worms, Province of Hesse, Germany. In 1857 he embarked in a sailing vessel from a German seaport for New York City, arriving at Castle Garden.

He then took up his abode in the Borough of the Bronx, New York City, where he sought employment at his trade. He quickly adapted himself to the baker’s business, as it was practiced in this country, and continued for a number of years. Having finally abandoned his trade, he became engaged in the manufacture of vinegar, and in 1868 established a brewery on St. Anns avenue, under the name of the Ebling Brewery Company. The enterprise was a success from its inception, and Mr. Ebling continued the guiding spirit in the company until his death. He married, in his native land, Catherine Baum, born in Biebesheim, a village near the city of Worms, Province of Hesse, Germany, October 10, 1833. He had six children: Philip Jacob, William, Louise, Pauline, Johanna and Louis Moritz.

ebling-brewery-postcard

The brewery apparently aged some of their beer in Bronx caves, and for some of their beers, like Special Brew, whose label boasts that the beer was “aged in natural rock caves.” Which sounds crazy, but in 2009, road construction crews in the Melrose section of the Bronx found the old caves, which was detailed by Edible Geography in Bronx Beer Caves.

An Ebling beer truck on 61st Street in New York in 1938.
A 1908 calendar from the brewery.

Filed Under: Birthdays, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: Germany, History, New York

Beer In Ads #5081: Manru Year-Round Bock

September 17, 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.

Wednesday’s ad is for Schreiber’s Manru Kloster, their year-round Bock Beer, which was published on September 17, 1936. This was for the Schreiber Brewing Co. of Buffalo, New York, which was founded in 1899. This ad ran in The Catholic Union and Times, of Buffalo, New York. The ad was part of a larger series of ads from the same year under the banner “all over town” showing different presumably well-known spots in Buffalo. For example, this one is set at the Touraine, which was a famous luxury hotel was located at

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

Beer In Ads #5060: Hospitality Demands Our Pale Bock Beer

August 22, 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.

Friday’s ad is for Thomas Brau Bock Beer, which was published on August 22, 1935. This one was for the Gebrüder Thomas Bierbrauerei of Munich, Germany, which was originally founded in the Middle Ages, but merged with Paulaner in 1928. To be fair, it’s really a small part of a full-page ad for a market chain called “George W. Loft Markets,” in upstate New York, with locations in New Rochelle, White Plains, and the Bronx. This ad ran in The Standard-Star, of New Rochelle, New York, and the exact same ad also ran in the Daily Reporter of White Plains.

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

Beer In Ads #5051: Dobler Bock Beer

August 12, 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.

Tuesday’s ad is for Dobler Bock Beer, which was published on August 12, 1953. This one is for the Dobler Brewing Co. of Albany, New York, which was originally founded in 1865. It’s les for their bock specifically but an advertorial for the 20th anniversary of the brewery bottling their beer, which includes Private Seal Beer, Dobler 1865 Special, Dobler Pale Ale, along with the Bock Beer. This one ran in The Troy Record, of Troy, New York.

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

Beer In Ads #5043: Old Salt Bock Beer

August 4, 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 not for a specific Bock Beer, but a restaurant on Route #4 in Paramus, New Jersey, called “Old Salt Seafood Restaurant.” They also mention another, presumably sister restaurant, called the “Old Salt Clam House,” located in New York City between 99th and 100th Streets. The ad was published on August 4, 1950. This ad ran in The Bergen Evening Record, of Bergen, New Jersey. The art for the ad features a cartoon drawing of a camel sitting at a bar, who comes in the Spring and drinks nothing but Bock Beer.

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

Beer In Ads #5042: Lion Brewery Bock Beer

August 3, 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.

Sunday’s ad is for Lion Bock Beer, which was published in 1906. This one was for the Lion Brewery of New York, New York, which was originally founded in 1857. This ad ran in The New York Times, also of New York.

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

Beer In Ads #5041: Schaefer Bock Beer

August 2, 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.

Saturday’s ad is for Schaefer Bock Beer, which was published on August 2, 1979. This one was for the F. & M. Schaefer Brewing Co. of New York, New York, which was originally founded in 1842. This ad ran in The Journal-News, also of New York, though it covered the Lower Hudson Valley area.

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

Beer In Ads #5036: Old Bohemian Bock Beer

July 27, 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.

Sunday’s ad is for Old Bohemian Bock Beer, which was published on July 27, 1962. To be fair, it’s primarily advertising their Light Beer, but also mention they have Cream Ale and Bock beer, too. It’s also an interesting advertising strategy, the anti-local but cheaper gambit. This one was for the Eastern Brewing Corp. of Hammonton, New Jersey, which was originally founded out of Prohibition in 1933. This ad ran in the Daily News, of New York, New York.

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

Beer In Ads #5034: Schaefer Bock Beer

July 25, 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 Schaefer Bock Beer, which was published on July 25, 1979. This one was for the F. & M. Schaefer Brewing Co. of New York, New York, which was originally founded in 1842. This ad ran in Newsday’s Suffolk Edition, also of New York, New York.

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

Beer In Ads #4959: Bock Beer! Bock! To-Day And Following Days

May 4, 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.

Sunday’s ad is for J. Ruppert’s Bock Beer and was published May 4, 1884. The brewery was the Jacob Ruppert Brewery of New York, New York, which was originally founded in 1867. This ad ran in The Sun, also of New York, New York.

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

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Find Something

Northern California Breweries

Please consider purchasing my latest book, California Breweries North, available from Amazon, or ask for it at your local bookstore.

Recent Comments

  • Bob Paolino on Beer Birthday: Grant Johnston
  • Gambrinus on Historic Beer Birthday: A.J. Houghton
  • Ernie Dewing on Historic Beer Birthday: Charles William Bergner 
  • Steve 'Pudgy' De Rose on Historic Beer Birthday: Jacob Schmidt
  • Jay Brooks on Beer Birthday: Bill Owens

Recent Posts

  • Beer In Ads #5386: Bockbier Aus Der Actienbrauerei Basel November 7, 2026
  • Beer Birthday: Jason Petros November 7, 2026
  • Beer Birthday: Steve Altimari November 7, 2026
  • Beer Birthday: Gary Fish November 7, 2026
  • Beer In Ads #5385: Mai Bock Löwenbräu November 6, 2026

BBB Archives

Feedback

Head Quarter
This site is hosted and maintained by H25Q.dev. Any questions or comments for the webmaster can be directed here.