American Beers in the early 60s
romancegirl
the following:
1) Commonly drunk "good" beers - not just the run-of-the-mill variety that
everyone drank, but something a notch above that.
2) Something you would buy for a special occasion - a birthday, a gift - it
would cost a bit more than the norm.
3) Were there any imported beers available then?
Thank you,
Nanette
James L. Moore
> 1) Commonly drunk "good" beers - not just the run-of-the-mill variety that
> everyone drank, but something a notch above that.
That's kinda a hard one. Those were the days of "local" beer first getting a
bad reputation and "national" beers getting a good reputation ( depending on
locale, of course). Beer was/is broken down into catagories basically by price-
discount/price, popular priced, premium, super premium- and many brewers sold
beers in all the four catagories (altho' often the "super premium" might be a
draft only product or extremely rare). Beer was still a VERY regional thing at
the time, with the large national breweries just getting a foothold in many
areas, so most examples are going to very regional and opinionated, outside of
the national beers. Bud, Pabst, Schlitz, Miller, Falstaff, Carling, were the
typical "national" brands.
The US gov't put out an excellent study of the brewing industry 20 years or so
ago, with great breakdowns of sales in certain states over the course of 20 or
30 years (of course, I can't find it right now but if you really need it for a
study, let me know) and the dominance some brands had (and lost) is incredible.
Narragansett for one sold over 50% of the beer in most NE states only to lose it
all by the 70's.
> 2) Something you would buy for a special occasion - a birthday, a gift - it
> would cost a bit more than the norm.
Super-Premium beers included Michelob (in 1964 Michelob sold for $2.25 a six
pack, Bud was $1.25, Heineken $2.49), Andecker from Pabst (draught only),
Ballantine India Pale Ale ( $1.42 a s/p), Krueger Ambassador, Miller Munchener
(draught only), Prior (from Schmidt's of Phila), etc. (Prices and brands from a
New Jersey State price guide for 1964). Other areas, dominated by other
regional brewers, would have a different selection, of course.
> 3) Were there any imported beers available then?
Tons, according to the price guide, including some long gone brands. Pilsner
Urquell was $10 a case, Heineken was $9.75,
Lowenbrau was $10.75, Manx Oyster Stout was $7.25 for a case of 6 oz. bottles,
Bass was $10.15 (11.5 oz), Guinness Foreign Extra Stout (the only Guinness
available- no draft) was $9.90.
Bill Becker
"romancegirl" <roman...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:xyc2a.11564$1q2.1...@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
> Does anyone remember "bottled" beer from the early 1960s? I'm interested
in
> the following:
>
> 1) Commonly drunk "good" beers - not just the run-of-the-mill variety that
> everyone drank, but something a notch above that.
I was kind of lucky in that my Dad came from the "old" country and I was
allowed to drink beer on Sundays at the famous "Dining room table" well
before I was of legal age.
My dad used to favour beers like Rheingold Extra Dry, Schmidt's of
Philadelphia, and Ballantine Ale for special occasions. Otherwise, he stuck
with brews like Narragansett, Knickerbocker, Shaefer, Piels, and of course,
Bud, Miller, Schlitz, and Pabst.
>
> 2) Something you would buy for a special occasion - a birthday, a gift -
it
> would cost a bit more than the norm.
I remember a thing called the Rheingold Chug a Mug.....iirc, my dad bought
it on a few occasions but I can't remember what was so special about it.
Anyone recall what this "gimmick" was about?
>
> 3) Were there any imported beers available then?
Sure there were but being a naturalized citizen, my dad bought strictly
American. :^)
>
> Thank you,
> Nanette
>
>
Best regards,
Bill
Niunia
Użytkownik "romancegirl" <roman...@yahoo.com> napisał w wiadomości
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James L. Moore
> I remember a thing called the Rheingold Chug a Mug.....iirc, my dad bought
> it on a few occasions but I can't remember what was so special about it.
> Anyone recall what this "gimmick" was about?
The Rheingold Chug-a-mug was simply a short squat wide mouth bottle, with a
pull-off top (similar in size and shape to the old Mickey's Big Mouth- don't
recall which came first- Coors had a similar size mouth on it's quart bottles
for awhile in the 70's- but with a screw-off cap).
Originally it was a clear glass bottle, entirely covered in white (similar to
the old Dutch "Brand" bottle)- later it was an amber/brown bottle. Same
Rheingold beer inside- cost $1.15 a six pack in 1964, same as the regular
non-returnable bottles.. Nothing particularly "deluxe" about it, except to the
thrill of trying not to cut one's self while removing the cap...
Rick R.
romancegirl <roman...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Does anyone remember "bottled" beer from the early 1960s? I'm interested in
> the following:
>
> 1) Commonly drunk "good" beers - not just the run-of-the-mill variety that
> everyone drank, but something a notch above that.
Pabst Blue Ribbon. Miller High Life. Genesee Cream Ale. Ballantine XXX
>
> 2) Something you would buy for a special occasion - a birthday, a gift - it
> would cost a bit more than the norm.
Meisterbrau in magnum bottles. (Later the name was bastardized for a
really cheap beer). Lowenbrau.
>
> 3) Were there any imported beers available then?
Yes. Lowenbrau as brewed in West Germany. (Later Miller bought the name
and started making it in Wisconsin. Never tasted the same though).
>
> Thank you,
> Nanette
Pretty name!
KEN8038
I do know that the old timers in Brooklyn still talk reverently about Trommers
Beer. It's was definately comnsidered a notch above the mainstream beers of the
day. In fact about a year ago I happened to stumble into an old bar in Perth
Amboy NJ after a funeral and noticed an old Trommers beer sign. The old
bartender told me that people used to flock to his place in the 50's because it
was the only place in the area that carried Trommers on draft. --Ken
James L. Moore
> The early 60's was a little before my time, I got started in the late 60's. but
> I do know that the old timers in Brooklyn still talk reverently about Trommers
> Beer. It's was definately comnsidered a notch above the mainstream beers of the
> day.
Yeah, I thought about Trommer's, too, but left it off the list because it seemed to
be the same price as other "common" local beers, but as I double check, I see I was
comparing deposit bottles to throw-aways, so....
Selected NJ Case Prices-returnable bottles- 1964
Ballantine India Pale Ale $5.58
Heileman Special Export $5.00
Prior (Light or Dark) $5.00
Trommer's Red Letter Beer $4.88
Trommer's White Label Beer $4.65
Budweiser $4.65
Pabst Old Tankard Ale $4.65
Schlitz $4.57
Ballantine XXX Ale $4.40
Knickerbocker Dark $4.15
Pabst Blue Ribbon $3.99
Rheingold Extra Dry Lager $3.99
Piels $3.99
Schaefer $3.99
Horlacher Perfection $2.72
Old German (Eastern B.C.) $2.39
I know Ken'll appreciate those prices and nostalgic names...
James L. Moore
> Lowenbrau- Later Miller bought the name
> and started making it in Wisconsin.
Not quite. Miller merely was licensed by Lowenbrau to make the beer and use the
label. They never "owned" the name- only paid a fee to the owner to make the beer
(a not uncommon arrangement in Europe). The license recently expired and, after a
brief time of it being made in Canada by Labatt for the US market, "real"
Lowenbrau is again available in the US- (and it's been a big letdown for a lot of
people...).
Rick R.
I stand (stagger) corrected. Miller did indeed only license Lowenbrau.
Coincidentally, last night a few of us went to a German bar on Irving
Park Road in Chicago. They had the real Lowenbrau on tap. I drank a
litre. Excellent beer.
Anybody know the abv for that beer. seems like about 4 or 5%.
Rick R.
In article <3E4BC221...@online.net>, James L. Moore
Kester
> Not quite. Miller merely was licensed by Lowenbrau to make the beer and
> use the label. They never "owned" the name- only paid a fee to the
> owner to make the beer (a not uncommon arrangement in Europe). The
> license recently expired and, after a brief time of it being made in
> Canada by Labatt for the US market, "real" Lowenbrau is again available
> in the US- (and it's been a big letdown for a lot of people...).
I am trying to stretch my memory for ANY beer that has licensed its
brewing elsewhere that was any good in the first place (well at the time
they started selling off anyway).
I can't see a decent brewery allowing its stuff to be made elsewhere -
all you sell is the name. Even if they actually kept to the ingredients
list and method it will be such stuff that _can_ be over produced :-)
That said I have fond memories of Gambian & Nigerian Guiness... nothing
like the original (probably appauling products) BUT.... at the right
time (without the choice) ANYTHING will do. JulBrew anyone :-)
--
Cheers, Kester
Rick R.
<pan.2003.02.13.20...@notinaddress.kedmonds.net>, Kester
<kes...@notinaddress.kedmonds.net> wrote:
> On Thu, 13 Feb 2003 16:03:27 +0000, James L. Moore wrote:
>
> I am trying to stretch my memory for ANY beer that has licensed its
> brewing elsewhere that was any good in the first place (well at the time
> they started selling off anyway).\
I agree with that at least for the recent past. But the Miller deal
happened along time ago. 1968-1970?
I was personally disappointed. Lowenbrau was my drinking choice at that
time in a world where Michelob was considered the mass-market premium.
The difference between American and German Lowenbrau was immediately
noticible. I took up Scotch.
Steve Jackson
news:130220031216469072%rik...@earthlink.net...
> Anybody know the abv for that beer. seems like about 4 or 5%.
Löwenbräu comes in right in that range. I don't recall the exact number, but
all the standard Münchener helles beers come in in that range.
-Steve
Rick R.
half litre glasses. My usual places which serve Belgian beers on draft,
usually pour about half that amount per serving.
Maybe there are some universal laws here.
Like the "Conservation of Alcohol". ie that the amount of alcohol per
serving is a constant.
Still, I got a head ache the next morning from only a litre of
Lowenbrau. I never get hurt by the Belgian beers.
Rick R.
PS All of this has got me thinking: I'm gonna celebrate Valentine's Day
at Delialah's with a couple of Belgian drafts!!!
Bill Becker
"James L. Moore" <"oh,yeah"@online.net> wrote in message
news:3E4A0C0B...@online.net...
Thanks, James.
Hehe....your last sentence brought back memories of my battles with
Mickey's.
Best regards,
Bill
KEN8038
>Trommer's White Label Beer $4.65
Actually, I *think* that by 1964 Trommers was no longer a premium beer. It's
heyday seems to have been the 50's. There was a change of breweries, and a
different marketing strategy by the mid 60's.
But, I'd love to have been old enough to have had a $ 5.88 case of Ballantine
India Pale ale circa 1964!
--Ken
James L. Moore
> >Trommer's Red Letter Beer $4.88
> >Trommer's White Label Beer $4.65
>
> Actually, I *think* that by 1964 Trommers was no longer a premium beer. It's
> heyday seems to have been the 50's. There was a change of breweries, and a
> different marketing strategy by the mid 60's.
Yeah, off hand, I can't remember when Piel's got the label (the 1964 price list
shows Trommer's under PIELS BROS., INC for distribution...), but Trommer's was
still more expensive than locals like Piels, Schaefer, Rheingold, etc., or even
Bud and Schlitz, so you gotta put it in the "premium" catagory.
> But, I'd love to have been old enough to have had a $ 5.88 case of Ballantine
> India Pale ale circa 1964!
Yeah, in deposit bottles, no less! (A case of 7 oz. long neck deposits of BIPA
went for $3.78...plus 75 cents deposit, of course...)
Or, even better, getting on that Ballantine Brewery Christmas List for a
complimentary case of Ballantine Burton Ale with your name on the label...
Dave Witzel
> Steve Jackson <stvja...@cox.net.no.spam> wrote:
>
>> "Rick R." <rik...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>> news:130220031216469072%rik...@earthlink.net...
>>
>> > Anybody know the abv for that beer. seems like about 4 or 5%.
>>
>> Löwenbräu comes in right in that range. I don't recall the exact
>> number, but all the standard Münchener helles beers come in in
>> that range.
>
> Lowenbrau in half litre glasses. My usual places which serve
> Belgian beers on draft, usually pour about half that amount per
> serving.
>
> Maybe there are some universal laws here.
>
> Like the "Conservation of Alcohol". ie that the amount of alcohol
> per serving is a constant.
Sort of. Locality and rarity will play a part, though, in determining
what a bar will charge you.
Generally speaking, a more consistent law might be "conservation of
dollars": the amount of money per "serving" of beer should remain
reasonably constant, within the glassware boundaries. I would guess
you could have a pint of, say, Chimay Tripel, but you'll pay a lot
more for it than a pint of some more common American beer.
As an example, at Ginger Man in Manhattan a Brooklyn BCS or Victory
Storm King costs no more than a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, even though
it's got a lot more alcohol. But a Lindeman's Framboise costs
significantly extra, even though it has less alcohol than either. Of
course, most barleywines and strong Belgian beers will cost more than
any of the above, but again, a Bigfoot will cost less than a similar-
strength import.
> Still, I got a head ache the next morning from only a litre of
> Lowenbrau. I never get hurt by the Belgian beers.
Might be the conditioning. Or that Belgians crush aspirin into the
vats.
Witzel