Beer: A Genuine Collection of Cans Photography & Design by Dan Becker and Lance Wilson (Chronicle Books, 2011)
As a fifth grader in 1975, Josh Russo began his collection of beer cans. Josh became hooked from his first day of searching. His dad, a traveling businessman, fed this collecting compulsion, picking up various cans in the cities he traveled. Even on vacation, Josh fed his obsession. For his 14th birthday, Josh requested the book Beer Can Collecting. From there his collection and obsession grew. When he got married his understanding wife suggested he build shelves to display his collection. This fun book is full of neat examples representing his efforts, spanning cans over 60 years and 30 countries.
Ballantines Export, packaged for soldiers, was colored to avoid reflecting light so as not to reveal soldier’s location to the enemy at night.
Boston Light Ale features the Boston lighthouse, the first lighthouse in North America.
Buckeye Pilsener features the “Bucky” mascot for Otto bases Buckeye Brewing company. The company was in operation for 130 years.
Budweiser used the bald eagle for the first time in 1872 and remains the Budweiser symbol today.
Gluek’s was founded as the Mississippi Brewery Company in Minneapolis and later changed to Gluek’s Beer. Before refrigeration, Gluek’s was lagered in caves on Nicolette island on the Mississippi river.
Not only is Beer fun as you learn beer trivia, but many old memories are brought back to life.
When James Dickey visited Lemuria, we decided we needed a pit stop as we left the airport. J.D. bought two tall boy 6-packs of Colt 45 for his motel room without a fridge. Two days later when he left Jackson, J.D. had two hot ones left which he drank on the ride to Oxford.
No Taxation without Representation: I love the Falstaff can quote, still holds up today in my opinion. Bring back the can and I’ll get some to ice down!
I grew up watching black & white baseball games on Saturday afternoon. Old Diz and Pee Wee loved their Falstaff and it’s no doubt they sipped a few during the broadcast.
Reading Beer is total fun while you enjoy your beers of choice. I couldn’t help but pop open the one can of beer I had in the fridge.
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My favorite and and only can I have in my collection is from 1979. “We Are Family” world champs. A great token to bring back memories for a life long Pirates fan.
And finally, my last example, Jax Beer. I dedicate this blog to my closest and favorite now gone first cousin Paul. He was my best friend when my dad died. I had just turned 12. He cut up a bit and would take me to roadhouse beer joints, where you rolled down the windows to attach the serving tray, turned on your blinker and ordered beer to drink in the parking lot shadows.
I suspect my first taste of beer came with him at these spots. My memory tells me Jax empties rolled around in the floorboards of his red & white ’56 Mercury. He taught me what beer drinking was all about. My first “sneaky underage beer” was at the old Cherokee Drive-In. In the very same way Paul taught me at 14! I’m pretty sure it was a Falstaff.
Glory to the beer gods for this fun book. If your dad drinks beer, get this book and a 6-pack and sip a few this Sunday afternoon. Share some old times and bright moments with Pop.
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