Always remember that the two enemies are the Communists and the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union.
While the war raged in Korea, the war at home between beer lovers and anti-alcohol groups like the Woman's Christian Temperance Union was fought to keep beer out of the hands of the GIs. Then, a couple of brewing heavyweights escalated the conflict.Milwaukee's own Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company and Blatz Brewing Company offered to buy the troops a round and see what might happen.
One of my favorite movies, on this very subject and from not too long after this era, is Hallelujah Trail.
3 comments:
I want an archive of ALL the Jimmy Stewart appearances with Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show.
But specifically at this moment I'd like to confirm my memories of his remarks about being an active duty officer and having only three-two beer available. An amazing artistry conveying a concept without using any particular word with which the most prim old lady (or most nervous network censors) could object.
I also want the episode where Jimmy does a Jack Benny impression...
FWIW, Blatz was THE tap beer in Milwaukee. Schlitz had its admirers, but couldn't get the traction in the local bars that Blatz had. Pabst was a very poor third.
Then Pabst bought Blatz and killed the brand; thus Pabst was able to advertise "Milwaukee's Favorite" (or some such) for quite some time.
Later, Schlitz wanted to buy Stroh's. During the due-diligence review, Stroh's got a look at Schlitz's numbers and over a weekend, made a counter-offer to purchase Schlitz--which succeeded.
Too bad. The Uihleins (Schlitz fam) were exceptionally good citizens here. Now their fortune is being used by a great-grandchild to support Planned Parenthood. Smart gal, killing off potential customers and all.....
Ironically, Planned Parenthood is in a real sense a descendant of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. The same kind of people who favored Prohibition favored eugenics, and the rest is history.
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