Blue text inside an orange rectangular shape overlaying a textured orange oblong shape with orange text all on a textured orange background.

Billy Beer was mass produced in 1977 by the Falls City Brewing Company and promoted by President Jimmy Carter's younger brother Billy Carter.  Billy Carter, known for his colorful character and drinking habits, was described by the Associated Press in 1979 as "a professional redneck." Each can was embossed with the slogan “I had this beer brewed just for me. It’s the best beer I’ve ever tasted. And I’ve tasted a lot." The beer, ironically, was of such poor quality that Billy was quoted telling reports that he still drank Pabst Blue Ribbon at home.  Falls City closed its doors in 1978 along with the production of Billy Beer. There was a resurgence of interest in selling unopened cans or sixers of Billy Beer in the 1980's for big money after a man ran several ads in a Chicago newspaper selling  them for $1,000 dollars. Subsequently he ran more ads selling the beer at the bargain price of $200. In actuality, they were worth somewhere between 50 cents and a dollar. Today, although a six pack of Billy's doesn't have much collectors value, it is considered an interesting novelty item.

White and yellow text on  red background.

The Valentin Blatz Brewing Company was an American brewery based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It produced Blatz Beer from 1851 until 1959, when the label was sold to Pabst Brewing Company. Two famous Blatz/Milwaukee beer marketing slogans were "Blatz—Milwaukee’s Finest Beer" and "Blatz—Milwaukee’s Favorite Premium Beer." In later years, the brewery described its product as “Draft Brewed Blatz.” The most famous jingle from the 1950s to early 1970s was, "Kegs, Cans, or Bottles, all taste the same. The three best is one beer - Blatz is the name," playing on the fact that many other beers had a different taste when bottled and canned from how they tasted fresh from the keg.

Red and black text on a white background

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Blue text on a red background with a bull terrier dog pouring a Bud Light beer from the bar.

Bud Light used Spuds Mackenzie, a Bull Terrier, as a marketing device in the late 1980s. The dog’s first appearance was at the 1987 Super Bowl XXI. The advertising executive Mitch Meyers created the Spuds Mackenzie character. The terrier was controversial because it was a female dog portraying a male dog and also because of the dog’s appeal to children. The Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization was just one organization to pose the allegations that Anheuser-Busch was marketing their product to minors through Spuds Mackenzie. The dog was so popular that the decision to remove her from commercials after two years was made. The dog had started to overshadow the product.

White text on a red background with blue on a white background with a blue leaf in the middle with white text on it.

Pabst Breweries joined in the trend of selling war bonds during WWll with its own public relations and advertising campaigns. One such Pabst sponsored contest awarded a total of $50,000 in bonds. The winning entries were to ‘develop and assemble practical and workable plans and ideas’ for the eminent post-war employment of returning American servicemen and women. A popular tack for businesses during WWll, kiosks popped up to sell bonds wherever people would gather. Celebrity and media support for war bond drives became a competition of sorts to see who could sell the most.

Large red "W" on a white and black background with white text.

In 1862, Steven Weber purchased an established brewery renaming it West Hill Brewery. Over time, the Weber company possessed a variety of names: West Hill Brewery, Bethesda Brewery, Weber Brewing Co. and Weber Waukesha Brewing Co. During prohibition, the company survived by operating as a dairy bottling plant. After prohibition, the brewery was modernized becoming one of the first in the area to use stainless steel equipment. The company remained in the Weber family until 1958 when it merged with Fox Head Brewing Company.

Red, black and white text on a blue background, with an end of a barrel and an owl.

In 1821, John Cooper and Thomas Gould established a brewery in the Charlestown neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. When William Van Nostrand acquired interest in 1860, he gradually expanded production and distribution.  In the 1890’s, his son, Alonzo G. Van Nostrand Alonzo became the sole proprietor of the brewery which was now known as the Bunker Hill Brewery.  It operated until Prohibition.  The brewery manufactured; Boston Club Lager, Bunker Hill Lager, Old Musty Ale, Owl Musty, Van Nostrand's Porter and P.B. Ale.

See more photos of pre- and post-prohibition beer buttons on the Busy Beaver blog.

Black and red text on a brown wood background with a green leaf wreath with a gold and red label in center.

In 1821, John Cooper and Thomas Gould established a brewery in the Charlestown neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. When William Van Nostrand acquired interest in 1860, he gradually expanded production and distribution.  His son, Alonzo G. Van Nostrand, originated the “P.B. Ale” (Purest and Best) brand.  In the 1890’s, Alonzo became the sole proprietor of the brewery which was now known as the Bunker Hill Brewery.  It operated until Prohibition.  In addition to P.B. Ale, the brewery also manufactured; Boston Club Lager, Bunker Hill Lager, Old Musty Ale, Owl Musty and Van Nostrand's Porter.

See more photos of pre- and post-prohibition beer buttons on the Busy Beaver blog.

Dark blue text on a light blue background with two palm trees and a white moon. Moon's reflection shimmering on the water with a black emblem.

The button was to advertise Lowenbrau beer for spring break in 1982.

The name means "lion's brew." Lowenbrau was founded in Munich, Bavaria and has a long history. First official documents originated in the 1700s and has been in operation since. Lowenbrau has participated in Oktoberfest since 1810 since the festival only allow beers produced in Bavaria to be sold.

Purple text on a yellow background

"I sold My Soul For Rock & Roll" was the Slogan of Rock and Roll beer. The slogan proved to be so controversial that the beer was banned in Texas by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The aforementioned commission said the slogan on the can was quote "false, indecent,and immoral". The beer was launched in 1982 and owned by Joe Edwards.