Saturday, February 18, 2012

Collecting Old Dutch Beer Memorabilia

Vintage coaster from my collection
Since Old Dutch beer was brewed in Findlay, Ohio until March 1966, sometimes you can find old bottles, cartons or other memorabilia in Northern Ohio antique shops. I've picked up a few items over the years at Jeffrey's Antique Gallery in Findlay, Ohio.

Ebay is also a great place to find Old Dutch beer items. By the way, there was another Old Dutch beer brewed by the Eagle Brewing Co. in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania with its own distinctive look – so don't be confused. (The beer drinker on their label looks a little like Lord Plushbottom in the old Moon Mullins comic strip.)

Some Old Dutch beer collectibles from the Findlay, Ohio days have a strange look to them. That's because the Krantz Brewing Corp. merged with International Breweries Inc. of Detroit in 1957. After the merger, the label was redesigned for a while to reflect the new name of the brewery: IBI-Old Dutch Division. Sadly, the trademark German couple was reduced the size of a postage stamp on the label (below).


Label from the International Breweries days
But after the Findlay brewery was closed in 1966, the Old Dutch brand was sold to the Associated Brewing Company of Detroit. The brand would have several more owners after that, including Queen City Brewing and Pittsburg Brewing Company. At least the new owners brought back the classic Old Dutch label with the German couple.

Label from the Queen City Brewing Co. days
Items with the German couple – including signage, clocks and displays – are the most popular with collectors.

The story behind the image of the couple is kind of interesting. It was adapted from a painting titled "A Friend in Need," which depicted an elderly man threading a needle while a woman ate a bowl of soup. The legend in Findlay is that a local artist named Dr. A. H. Linaweaver remembered seeing the original in the Louvre, and created the Old Dutch trademark by adapting the painting from memory.

The couple has been on the label since 1907.

15 comments:

Unknown said...

I have an unopened bottle 1915 old Dutch I'm trying to sell very good condition considering the age! Trying to find a serious buyer. richmayle@yahoo.com if interested

stu kelly said...

I use to work for old dutch

Anonymous said...

I Worked for Old Dutch from 1957_1964 my office was at 3315 Lagrange st, Toledo, Ohio. There were four owners at that time.Steve Sanbanski,Charie Jankowski,Louis Urbanski,Caper. Turnpinski. Studude137@comcast.net Stewart Kelly 253 347 9555

Dan Brady said...

Hi Stewart,

Thanks for posting that information. Of all of the things that I have written about on this blog over the last 6 years, my posts on Old Dutch Beer are some of the most visited. Many people fondly remember Old Dutch and want to correspond about it, collect memorabilia, etc. One gentleman was trying to come up with a photo of a long-gone Findlay barn with an Old Dutch logo on it recently… I did a post on it but so far have been unable to shake loose a photo.

Anonymous said...

I used to drink Old Dutch when I was in college back in the early 80's .... very inexpensive good beer!

Anonymous said...

I have a 1946 20x10 photograph of parade for old Dutch Brewing co. Baseball team in front of LaGrange location. Anybody interested?
Riedmayer2@hotmail.com

John M said...

Just discovered my great grandfather owned Krantz Brewing back in 1904. Not sure for how long. He passed away in 1914.

Unknown said...

Have a very large double sided metal sign of International Old Dutch. Often wondered if it could be the sign that would have hung outside the brewery. Have never been able to find many photos of the brewery to confirm. Very cool old sign!

Unknown said...

Have a very large double sided metal sign of International Old Dutch. Often wondered if it could be the sign that would have hung outside the brewery. Have never been able to find many photos of the brewery to confirm. Very cool old sign!

Anonymous said...

Drank a lot of Old Dutch at Toni's at Put-In-Bay

Unknown said...

My wife's dad and uncles owned the distributorship in Norwalk Ohio.

Ken sylvester said...

I work for the demo company that tore down the old Dutch brewing company we started the middle of August and ended around the end of October I have some of the brewing tanks I'd say doors you call them I have like three of them they're glass lined I have little spigot taps over onto tanks I have a lot of videos of tearing all the whole buildings down and the door going down to the old Dutch brewing company down into the basement said Govern cell or.

Dan Brady said...

Hi Ken,
Thanks for leaving the comment about the demolition of the Old Dutch buildings. I’d be happy to do a post with any photos and stories about the demolition that you would like to share.

jimmy said...

Hey Dan
In general ...replying to history of the Old Dutch/Krantz series...I have attached some of my collection. I found your stuff when I was researching the Krantz history for my own background. My mom's step-mom was Anna Krantz. I believe Peter would have been Anna's grandfather? I have all of my stuff from a cottage the Krantz family owned outside of Carbondale, PA. The attached image is from a framed set up that is about 100 years old and that has always been at the cottage about 50 years as far as I know. I was going to reframe and re-mat it. I don't think it is original but it is an excellent printed poster board if not. The colors are still excellent. There is humidity warping in the top layers of the chipboard. I was not going to bother with appraising or any of that. I want it framed and backsealed for preservation because it means more to me then any collector...my guess. Ooops...send me an email...if you would like the attachment. Thanks for interesting info.

Unknown said...

There is a fine example of the old dutch barn painting on main in arlington, ohio. was found under other siding and the boards were saved.