Brookston Beer Bulletin

Jay R. Brooks on Beer

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Beer In Ads #5097: Hornung’s White Bock Beer Wins!

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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 Hornung’s White Bock Beer, which was published on October 5, 1934. This one was for the Jacob Hornung Brewing Co. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which was originally founded in 1885. This ad ran in The Press of Atlantic City, from Atlantic City, New Jersey. I’ve shared more ads for this beer, and a few where they were crowing about their victories in two beer competitions, one in 1912 and, apparently, this one in 1934.

Historic Beer Birthday: John F. Betz Jr.

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Today is the birthday of John F. Betz Jr. (September 1, 1856-April 8, 1910). He was born in Pennsylvania, the son of John F. Betz, who in 1867 bought what was the Robert Hare & J. Warren Porter Brewery when it opened in 1775, but was the William Gaul Brewery when Betz acquited it, but Betz changed it to the John F. Betz Brewery. When John Jr. joined his father in the business in 1880, they changed the name to the John F. Betz & Son Brewery. The brewery survived prohibition, but closed for good in 1939.

Here’s his obituary from the American Brewers’ Review:

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The Betz brewery in Philadelphia.

This much longer account is from “Philadelphia and Popular Philadelphians,” published in 1891. It’s mostly about Junior’s father, but he is mentioned in the course of the article:

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The Philadelphia brewery.

I’m not sure if this was a newspaper advertisement or some very favorable coverage, but this was a page from The Times—Philadelphia on May 28, 1893. But in the right-hand corner is where I discovered the only image of John F. Betz Jr. that I could find.

Beer Birthday: Jennie Hatton Baver

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Today is the 54th birthday of Jennie Hatton, now Jennie Hatton Baver, who did P.R. for Philly Beer Week and several craft breweries in the tri-state area for a number of years. She cut her teeth working for Tom Peters at Monk’s Cafe. Jennie and her business partner Claire Pelino are responsible for many, many beer books being published as literary agents to a number of beer writers, including yours truly. Also, Jennie is one of my favorite people in the industry and she’s so much fun to be around that people refer to her as “The Wonderful Jennie Hatton.” Also, few people love tater tots like I do, and she’s one of them. That’s enough for me. More recently, she’s been the Marketing Director for Dogfish Head. Join me in wishing Jennie a very happy birthday.

Jennie and me on the floor at GABF in 2008.
Everyone wanted their picture taken with the Hammer, and Jennie was only too happy to oblige
Jennie wielding the Hammer of Glory during this last year’s Philly Beer Week.
Jennie Hatton and the Reverend
Jennie and the Reverend Kirk T. Berlenbach, Rector of Saint Timothy’s Episcopal Church, at the Sam, Tomme & Old Beer event at Nodding Head Brewing during Philly Beer Week.
Jennie w/tots & a dog at North Lanes Lounge
Jennie with some of the best tater tots ever, at North Lanes Lounge in Philly.

Historic Beer Birthday: Henry Hess

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Today is the birthday of Henry Hess (August 1, 1859-July 25, 1909). Hess was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and in 1901 bought the Germania Brewing Co. in Philadelphia, which has originally been founded in 1875 by Philip J. Laubner, and it was known then as the Philip J. Laubner Brewery. Hess renamed the Henry Hess Brewing Co. and remained opened until it closed in 1911, presumably due to his death two years before. He appears to have been involved in another location that was also called the Henry Hess Brewing Co. from 1909-1912. Before 1909, it was known as the Consumer’s Brewing Co. and afterwards was known as the Premier Brewing Co., which closed in 1920 due to prohibition. In 1933, it re-opened as Trainer Brewing and in 1937 became known as the Otto Erlanger Brewing Co. until 1951, when it closed for good.

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Here is an obituary of Hess from the “Brewers Journal, Volume 34 for the Year 1909:”

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And this is about his brewery from the book “1000 Years of Brewing:”

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Beer Birthday: Tom Peters

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My good friend Tom Peters, one of the owners of Monk’s Cafe and Belgian Beer Emporium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, turns 72 today. His enthusiasm for and promotion of Belgian beer has few equals. A couple of years ago, I was privileged to travel through France and Belgium with Tom, which was amazing. And he threw perhaps the best late night parties of anyone I’ve ever known during GABF during its golden age. Plus, he flew out for my 60th birthday party at Russian River Brewery. Join me in wishing Tom a very happy birthday.

Me and Tom after the Great Lambic Summit at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology & Anthropology during Philly Beer Week in 2010.
Tom and me at my 60th birthday party at Russian River Brewing.
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In Belgium, with a perfectly poured Orval, with Daniel Neuner, William Reed and Justin Low.
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Tom Peters with Dave Keene, owners of the best two Belgian beer bars on both coasts.
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Tom Peters, with Rob Tod from Allagash in Portland, Maine, at GABF.
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Shaun O’Sullivan from 21st Amendment, Fergie Carey, co-owner of Monk’s, Lucy Saunders, the beer cook, and Tom Peters.
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Also in Belgium, with a Fanta and Frites sandwich.

Beer In Ads #4978: Poth’s Bock Beer

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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 Poth’s Bock Beer. The ad was published on May 23, 1896. This one was for F.A. Poth & Sons, which was founded in 1865. This ad ran in the Philadelphia Times of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Beer In Ads #4969: It Deserves First Prize

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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 Hornung’s White Bock Beer, which was published on May 14, 1936. This one was for the Jacob Hornung Brewing Co. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which was originally founded in 1885. This ad ran in The Ephrata Review, of Ephrata, Pennsylvania.

Beer In Ads #4950: What Is Bock Beer, Otto?

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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 Poth’s Bock Beer and was published April 24, 1908. The brewery was the F.A. Poth & Sons Brewery of Philadelphia. This ad ran in The Philadelphia Inquirer, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This bock explainer ad starts with a phrase worthy of “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” with “What is Bock Beer, Otto?”

Beer In Ads #4949: Poth’s Bock Ready April 16th

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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 Poth’s Bock Beer and was published April 23, 1908. The brewery was the F.A. Poth & Sons Brewery of Philadelphia. This ad ran in The Courier Post, which serve South Jersey and the Delaware Valley. The ad announced that “Poth’s Bock [will be] ready April 16th,” which is interesting since it ran a week after its release date.

Beer In Ads #4941: Poth Bock Beer

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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 Poth Bock Beer and was published April 15, 1892. The brewery was the F.A. Poth Brewing Co., of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which was originally founded in 1864. This ad ran in the Philadelphia Times, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.