Brookston Beer Bulletin

Jay R. Brooks on Beer

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Beer In Ads #5133: Enjoy The Bright Taste In Bock

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Last year 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.

Friday’s ad is for Genesee Bock Beer, which was published on December 5, 1981. This ad was for Genesee Brewing Co. of Rochester, New York, which was originally founded in 1878. This ad ran in The Berwick Enterprise, from Berwick, Pennsylvania.

Beer In Ads #5126: Having Guests … Or A Family Dinner Thanksgiving Day

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Last year 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.

Thursday’s ad is for Kaier’s Bock Beer, among others, which was published on November 27, 1961. This ad was for the Charles D. Kaier Co. Brewery of Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, which was originally founded in 1880. This ad ran in The Record American, also from Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania.

Historic Beer Birthday: Felix Geiger

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Today is the birthday of Felix Geiger (November 27, 1834-October 6, 1898). He was born in Kappel, Wurttemberg, Germany. After learning to be a brewery in Germany, he emigrated to America in 1854, when he was 20, settling in Philadelphia. After working for several area breweries he became a brewmaster, working at several in Philadelphia, finishing his career with Bergner & Engel.

Here is his obituary from the American Brewer’s Review:

“One of the best known and most popular among the brewmasters and German inhabitants generally of Philadelphia has joined the silent majority. On Oct. 6, Felix Geiger, brewmaster of the Bergner and Engel Brewery for many years departed this life and with him the brewmasters of the city of brotherly love lost one of the most genial companions and active workers in all that interested them.

Felix Geiger was born in 1834 at Kappeln, Wurtemberg. He became a brewers apprentice and worked as a journeyman in German breweries until 1854, when he came to Philadelphia.Here he soon found employment in Carl Fischer’s brewery. Later he worked for Steppaden Brothers, for Conrad Frei and in the so-called “Actien Brewery” until 1857, when he entered the employ of Gustav Bergner as cellar foreman. Seven years later, in 1864, he was employed as a brewmaster in Harry Rothacker’s brewery, later with Engel & Wolf, and a short time with Louis Bergdoll.

In 1871, he was engaged by the firm of Bergner & Engel. In the long term of years he was connected with this brewery he developed great skill and knowledge in his profession, and a rare talent for organization. He was much liked by the employees of the brewery. Mr. Geiger is survived by a widow, three daughters and one son, Joseph, who is president of the George Keller Brewing Company.

The funeral was held Oct. 9, the brewmasters’ association turning out in a body and a large attendance of prominent Germans accompanying the deceased to his last resting place.”

From a Philadelphia newspaper, June 10, 1896.

Beer In Ads #5125: The Beer Drinker’s Corner By Joe Ortlieb

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Last year 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.

Tuesday’s ad is for Ortlieb Bock Beer, which was published on November 25, 1968. This ad was for the Henry Ortlieb Brewing Co. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which was originally founded in 1859 by Louis Schweitzer, but an Ortlieb was in involved in the brewery by at least 1879. It became known as the Henry Ortlieb Brewery in 1893 and continued under that name until 1981. This ad ran in The Morning Call, from Allentown, Pennsylvania. It’s an early example of ad masquerading as news under the titled “The Beer Drinker’s Corner,” and purportedly written by “Joe Ortlieb, Brewmaster.”

Historic Beer Birthday: Henry Flach

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Today is the birthday of Henry Flach (November 23, 1835-November 13, 1896). He was born in Hessen, Germany and emigrated to American when he was 16, in May of 1852. In 1880, Flach and a partner, John Henzler, bought Morris Perot’s Brewery in Philadelphia (which had opened just two years before, in 1878), who operated it as Henzler & Flach until 1885, when they changed the name to the Eagle Brewery. In 1888, Henry bought out Henzler and brought his two sons into the business, calling it Henry Flach & Sons. When Henry Flach dies in 1986, his sons sold the business the following years and the new owners called it American Brewing Company before it closed for good in 1920 because of Prohibition.

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Henry Flach and his wife, Marie Rosalie Frederica Hartung.
This is his obituary from the Public Ledger on November 14, 1896:

Henry Flach, a well-known brewer of this city, died yesterday at his residence, 1500 N. 52nd St. Mr. Flach had been complaining of illness for a year past and three months ago underwent an operation, from the effects of which he, for a while, appeared to have nearly recovered.

Mr, Flach was born in Neuenhien, Hessen, Germany, November 23, 1835. He came to this country in 1851 and since resided in Philadelphia. In 1860, he opened a saloon, and in 1873 entered into a partnership and bought the brewery of Leimbach and Mohr, 32nd and Master Sts., the business being conducted under the name of Henzler and Flach until the death of Mr. Henzler in 1885. A year later Mr. Flach took his sons into partnership, the firms name being changed to Flach and Sons. He is survived by a widow, three sons and four daughters.

Mr. Flach was a Mason and was a member of the William B, Schneider Lodge, No. 419; Oriental Chapter, No 183; St. Johns Commandery No. 4; and among other organizations to which he belonged are the 34th Ward Republican Club, Philadelphia Lodge, No. 30 D. O. H.; Belmont Lodge, No.19, K of P; Philadelphia Rifle Club, the Bavarian Society, the Gambrinus Society and the Lager Beer Brewery Association.”

Henry is buried at the Northwood Cemetery in Phila., located off Broad St. a short distance from Temple University. His burial plot is shared with Philip Spaeter, who, according to Edna Godshall, was Henry’s best friend and the reason Henry named his last son Philip. Philip Spaeter worked as a cooper and made kegs for the brewers. Philip named his son, Philip Henry in honor of Henry Flach.

In a letter to Richard Flach, Muriel Flach Eldridge, granddaughter of Henry, writes that there were 33 carriages in Henry’s funeral procession.

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This is Flach’s biography from Find-a-Grave:

Henry was born on Nov 23, 1835 in house #5 in Neuenhain, a small village located southwest of Kassel in northern Hesse. He was baptized in the protestant church on 1 Jan 1836 and was confirmed in 1849. His godfather was Henrich Ehl who was a teacher in Bischhausen.

His father Johannes was an innkeeper, musician, brewer, farmer, and member of the village council. Johannes died at age 44 in 1847 on Henry’s 12th birthday. Henry’s grandfather was Conrad Flach, a blacksmith from the village of Zimmersrode which is about two miles west of Neuenhain. Conrad had died 15 years before Henry’s birth. Conrad was the son of Nicholaus Flach.

On May 6, 1852, at the age of 16, Henry Flach arrived at the port of Philadelphia, Pa. He came from Bremen, Germany aboard the ship Louise Marie. The passenger list had his name spelled (Heinrich Floch) and his occupation was listed as a farmer. Henry became a citizen on September 28, 1860 and his home in Germany was listed as the “Elector of Hesse-Cassel” and his occupation in the 1860 census says he was a woodturner.He married Rosalie Hartung, who arrived in USA from Saxony, Germany in 1855.

In the Phila. census of 1860, Henry is listed as Henry (HOGG) living in the 1st ward of Phila.on June 11, 1860. His occupation is listed as a wood turner. He hailed from Hesse Cassel and wife Rosalie shows as being from Saxony. Daughter Anna (age 5) shows born in Pa. Son Henry was age 3 and also born in Pa. Son George was 1 and reported born in Delaware.

1861 At the onset of the Civil War, President Lincoln called for 72,000 soldiers to serve for 3 months. Henry joined the 1st Delaware infantry in Wilmington, DE and served his 3-month term at which time he went back to civilian life in Philadelphia. Henry’s younger brother George enlisted in Sep 1861 and was wounded at the battle of Sharpsburg aka Antietam

  • In 1863, Henry Flach was living at 422 Morris St. in Philadelphia. His occupation is “Lager beer”
  • In 1864 and 1865 Henry had a tavern at 1514 S. 4th St. in Phila.
  • In 1866, Henry and brother George are listed at 433 Enterprise St as machinists.
  • In 1867, Henry has a saloon at 1206 S. 4th St.
  • In 1868 and 1869, Henry is listed in Gopsills Directory as having a “saloon” at 1206 4th St.

In Nov. 1869 Henry petitioned for membership into the William B Schneider lodge as a mason and on Dec 21, 1869 Henry was initiated. On Dec 21 he was a 1st degree. On Jan. 2, 1870 he was a 2nd degree. He became a Master on Feb. 15, 1870 and passed to the Chair Dec. 12, 1871.

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Eagle Brewery.
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Henry (center) with his two sons.
And this short obituary is from the American Brewers Review from 1897:

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Beer Birthday: Don Russell

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Today is fellow beer writer Don Russell’s 70th birthday — The Big 7-O. Don wrote a beer column for the Philadelphia Daily News under the nom de plume Joe Sixpack. He also wrote a blog online, Beer Radar. His most recent book, What the Hell Am I Drinking?, was published a few years ago and can still be ordered directly from the author. Don also became the first executive director of the Garden State Craft Brewers Guild, the trade group for New Jersey breweries. He later accepted a position as the editor-in-chief of Broad Street Media, but more recently retired and moved to France. Don is also a fellow Pennsylvanian, a crack card player, and one of my very favorite people to share a beer and discuss the issues of the day with. I was happy to recently meet up with in Lille, France, and it was great seeing him again. Join me in wishing Don a very happy birthday.

Don (center) with me and Lisa Morrison at the Hofbrauhaus in Munich during a press junket to Bavaria several years ago.
Don, with fellow Pennsylvanians Lew Bryson and the late Jack Curtin at GABF in 2006.
Me and Don at the kick-off for the first Philly Beer Week in 2008.
Me, Stephen Beaumont, Don and Lisa Morrison at the Carrier Pigeon Memorial in Lille, France.
Don Russell & Pete Slosberg
Don with Pete Slosberg, signing books at GABF a couple of years ago.

Beer In Ads #5114: Horlacher’s Genuine Bock Beer

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Last year 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.

Wednesday’s poster is for Horlacher’s Genuine Bock Beer, which was published in the 1950s. It was made for the Horlacher Brewing Co. of Allentown, Pennsylvania, which was originally founded in 1897 as the Allentown Brewing Co. Unfortunately, it’s not known who the artist was who created this.

Beer In Ads #5113: We’ve Put Our Bock To Sleep!

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Last year 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.

Tuesday’s ad is for Iron City Bock Beer, which was published on November 11, 1949. This one was for the Pittsburgh Brewing Co. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which was originally founded in 1861. This ad ran in The Pittsburgh Press, also from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Beer In Ads #5109: Gretz The Best In Bock Beer

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Last year 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.

Wednesday’s poster is for Gretz Bock Beer, which was published around 1951. It was made for the William Gretz Brewing Co. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which was originally founded in 1861 by Albert Schwartz. Unfortunately, we don’t know who the artist was who created this.

Beer In Ads #5105: The 2 To 1 Favorite Of 60 Official Beer Tasters

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Last year 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.

Saturday’s ad is for Hornung’s White Bock Beer, which was published on October 18, 1934. This one was for the Jacob Hornung Brewing Co. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which was originally founded in 1885. Not to take away their competition wins, but boy have they been milking their two awards for years. This ad ran in The Philadelphia Inquirer, also from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.