But I still like a beer once in a while. And right now, Hamm’s is the retro beer of choice in my fridge. (I still have a few cans of Black Label in there too).
Hamm’s, as many of you probably remember, is the beer from the Land of Sky Blue Waters and was originally brewed in St. Paul, Minnesota. Especially essential to the beer’s appeal was its popular advertising mascot, the Hamm’s Beer bear. He has been featured in TV commercials and ads since the 1950s, cavorting with other forest creatures in a Northern woods setting.
Here’s a great, almost full-page ad for a contest sponsored by Hamm’s Beer that ran in the Star Tribune, the largest newspaper in Minnesota, back on May 10, 1959.
Here’s a closeup of one of the great bear illustrations from the ad.
And here are some advertising clip sheets of the Hamm’s bear that I found online.
Vintage Hamm’s Beer advertising items (such as signs, ashtrays, banks, calendars, clocks, etc.) are highly collectible, especially anything with the bear on it. There’s even a club devoted to collecting only Hamm’s items. (Visit its website here.)
4 comments:
"I've had beer from a pitcher
And from a German mug..."
I am a beer guy and unapologetically an old-school beer drinker. My go-to is usually Pabst Blue Ribbon because it is sold many places. Since I moved down to VA from the north, Black Label just isn't around here, and Hamm's made a brief appearance at a grocery store when they were taken over by another chain, and it was great! Better than the standard "light" beers by Bud, Miller, and Coors, and only $16/case to boot! But since (probably) I was the only one buying it, they discontinued it.
Beer memorabilia is very collectable. I usually buy up any Black Label, Pabst, etc items that turn up in the thrift stores or DIY rent a table antique malls that I frequent if they are for a decent price.
Hi Aaron! I agree, I like the tastes of these beers (Hamm’s and Black Label) although they are not easy to find.
And it is fun to pick up the odd collectible. I have a Hamm’s placemat from the 1950s with the bear and all the other animals on it, had it framed and it looks great in my ‘lodge’ style decor.
Sure is fun, because you never know what you will find! I'm thinking of turning my 1930's finished basement into a "tavern". I picked up a pair of these Black Label lights for about 10 bucks on a recent visit. Would put up a picture of the ones I got but still in storage since I am not unpacked yet. https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/pair-vintage-carlings-black-label-30722578
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