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Jay R. Brooks on Beer

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Beer In Ads #4983: Refresh Yourself With Delicious Bock Beer

May 28, 2025 By Jay Brooks Leave a Comment

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 Wooden Shoe Beer. The ad was published on May 28, 1953. This one was for the Wooden Shoe Brewing Co. of Minster, Ohio, which was originally founded in 1869 by Franz Lange, though it became known by the Wood Shoe name after 1939 until it closed in 1954. This ad ran in the Chillicothe Gazette, of Chillocothe, Ohio. I don’t think of bock as beer that goes well with athletics, so the text for this ad is a little odd: “Refresh Yourself After a Hot Day In The Sun With Delicious Bock Beer.” Um, no thanks. I also love how he brought his family along while he plays golf. The son, presumably, is carrying his clubs, but the wife? Is she just watching him play? Oh, 1950s, you were a weird time.

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

Beer In Ads #4981: Christian Moerlein’s Bock Beer

May 26, 2025 By Jay Brooks Leave a Comment

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 Christian Moerlein’s Bock Beer. The ad was published on May 26, 1903. This one was for Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio, which was originally founded in 1853. This ad ran in the Omaha World Herald, of Omaha, Nebraska. The ad is promoting all of their beers, and it’s hard to see, but on the seven wooden barrels along the bottom there’s a different style on each one, with the second from the right listing their “Bock.”

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

Beer In Ads #4976: Brucks Bock Beer

May 21, 2025 By Jay Brooks Leave a Comment

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 Brucks Bock Beer. The ad was published on May 21, 1937. This one was for the Bruckmann Brewing Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio, which was originally founded in 1856 by brothers Johann and Frederick Bruckmann as the Cumminsville Brewery. After Prohibition they bought out the Ohio Union Brewing Co.and operated it as a second brewing facility until 1949, and both were renamed the Bruckmann Co. after 1919. This ad ran in the Advocate Messenger of Danville, Kentucky.

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

Beer In Ads #4975: Sold Out … So What Am I Going To Do Now?

May 20, 2025 By Jay Brooks Leave a Comment

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 Gold Bond Bock Beer. The ad was published on May 20, 1954. This one was for the Cleveland-Sandusky Brewing Corp. of Cleveland, Ohio, which was originally founded in 1904 as the Fishel Brewing Co. This ad ran in the Cleveland Press, also of Cleveland, Ohio.

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

Historic Beer Birthday: John Schneider

May 16, 2025 By Jay Brooks Leave a Comment

standard-ohio
Today is the birthday of John Schneider (May 16, 1833-February 28, 1907). Schneider was born in Bavaria, and made his way to America in 1852. He settled initially in Cleveland, and worked all of his life as a journeyman brewer around Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. Late in life he became “a stockholder in the Standard Brewing Co.” of Cleveland, and was named director and 2nd president.

john_schneider
Brewery History has reprinted an autobiography Schneider wrote around 1904 and it’s an interesting read.

standard5
The Standard Brewing Co. of Cleveland, Ohio

Peared Creation also has a nice history of the Standard Brewing Co., which was founded in 1904, when Schnedier began his association with the brewery.

Erin-Brew-Beer-Labels-The-Real-Standard-Brewing-Co

Filed Under: Birthdays, Just For Fun Tagged With: Germany, History, Ohio

Historic Beer Birthday: Christian Moerlein

May 13, 2025 By Jay Brooks

christian-moerlein
Today is the birthday of Christian Moerlein (May 13, 1818-May 14, 1897). Moerlein was born in Bavaria, and came to America around 1840, establishing the Christian Moerlein Brewery in 1853.

christian-moerlein

Here’s a short biography from Find a Grave:

Brewer. Born in Truppach, Bayreuth, Oberfranken, Bayern, Germany. He immigrated to the United States in 1841 settling in Cincinnati, Ohio a year later. Christian married his first wife Sophia Adam in 1843 and had three children with her. After losing Sophia and 2 of those children to the cholera epidemics of the time, he married his second wife Barbara Oeh in 1849 and had another 9 children. In 1853 Moerlein established a brewery bearing his name in Cincinnati and became the most prominent brewer in that city. The brewery became one of the largest in the country and remained in operation until Prohibition. Today a line of beer is again being marketed under his name.

Christian-Moerlein-Beer1890

Here’s what the early 20th century book “One Hundred Years of Brewing” wrote about Christian Moerlein:

Christian-Moerlein-Brewing-Co-letterhead

Digging Cincinnati History has a nice post about where all the Moerlein buildings are today, along with some history of the brewery. In 2004, local resident Greg Hardman bought the Christian Moerlein brand and continues to operate it as Christian Moerlein lagers & Ales, and also opened the Moerlein Lager House, where they serve food and house beers.

Filed Under: Birthdays, Just For Fun Tagged With: Germany, History, Ohio

Beer In Ads #4957: I Boom Mansfield Bock Beer

May 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.

Friday’s ad is for Renner & Weber Bock Beer and was published May 2, 1912. The brewery was the Renner & Weber Brewing Co. of Mansfield, Ohio, which was originally founded in 1855. This ad ran in The News Journal, also of Mansfield, Ohio. I’m still not entirely sure about what the text means above the photo of the brewery, which reads: “I Am Glad to See This Building in Mansfield. I Boom Mansfield by Drinking Mansfield Beer.”

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

Beer In Ads #4940: Christian Moerlein Bock Beer

April 14, 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 Christian Moerlein Bock Beer and was published April 14, 1898. The brewery was the Christian Moerlein Brewing, of Cincinnati, Ohio, which was originally founded in 1887. This ad ran in the Chattanooga Daily Times, of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The cartoon is pretty hilarious, but especially with the text below it: “Uncle Sam would do well to adopt MOERLEIN BOCK as a means of strengthening his Navy.

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

Beer In Ads #4935: Steinle’s Bock Beer

April 9, 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 is for Steinle’s Bock Beer and was published April 9, 1898. The brewery was the Delphos Brewery, a.k.a. Steinle & Co. of Delphos, Ohio, which was originally founded in 1858. This ad ran in The Daily Herald, of Delphos, Ohio, with the tagline: “Steinle’s Bock Beer.”

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

Historic Beer Birthday: George F. Gund

April 5, 2025 By Jay Brooks

gunds
Today is the birthday of George F. Gund (April 5, 1855-March 11, 1916). He was the son of John Gund, the founder of John Gund Brewing, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and the brother of Henry Gund and John Gund Jr., who founded Lexington Brewing, in Lexington, Kentucky. George Frederick Gund founded Gund Brewing Co., of Cleveland, Ohio.

george-f-gund-portrait

And here’s a short biography of George F. Gund:

gund-bio-BiC

This caricature of Gund is from the “Clevelanders “As We See ‘Em,” published in 1904.

george-gund-cartoon

Here’s a history of the brewery from the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History.

The GUND BREWING CO. was a small independent brewery located at 1476 Davenport St. on the city’s near east side. It was known as the Jacob Mall Brewing Co. when Geo. F. Gund (1855-1916) purchased it in 1897. Born in La Crosse, WI, Gund served as president of the Seattle Brewing & Malting Co. in Seattle, WA, from 1895-97 before moving to Cleveland and buying the Mall brewery, where he served as president and treasurer. On 1 Jan. 1900 the firm name was changed to the Gund Brewing Co. Geo. Gund also served as a trustee of the U.S. Brewers’ Assn. and as secretary of the Cleveland Brewers’ Board of Trade. In 1899 he testified before State Attorney General Frank S. Monnett against the combination created by the Cleveland-Sandusky Brewing Corp., charging that the combination loaned money without interest to saloon keepers who would take its product, and leased buildings and then turned out the customers of independent breweries. Prior to Prohibition, Gund Brewing brewed Gund’s “Finest” and Gund’s “Clevelander,” which it promoted with the slogan “A Wonderful City—A Wonderful Beer.” During Prohibition, the Gund interests turned toward previously established real estate and coffee businesses. The Gund Realty Co. (inc. 1922) and the Kaffee Hag Corp. (inc. 1914) were headed respectively by Anna M. Gund, Gund’s widow, and his son Geo. Gund both were based at the brewery address. After Prohibition, the brewery was operated by the Sunrise Brewing Co. (1933-39), then by the Tip Top Brewing Co. It closed in 1944.

gund-brewery-ohio
The Jacob Mall Brewing Co. when George Gund bought it in 1897.

george-f-gund

gunds-clevelander

Gunds--quot-Finest-quot--Beer-Labels-Gund-Brewing-Co

Filed Under: Birthdays, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: History, Ohio, Wisconsin

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