Is das nicht ein Old Style Beer?

Beer-related music has been an occasional topic of interest on the main blog, just as drinking beer has been a topic of interest to this blogger. So far we have delved into promotional records honoring Budweiser, Carling's Black Label, Schlitz, Hamm's, and Duquesne.

Today's subject is the G. Heileman Brewing Co., late of La Crosse, WI, and a 1955 promotional record offering "The Heileman Beer Song" and "The Heileman Waltz." I don't know how the record was used, but there is a 45 sleeve out there that suggests it may have been a give-away to consumers.

"The Heileman Beer Song" turns out to be that old tavern favorite "Ist das nicht eine Schnitzelbank?", here repurposed to extol the making of Heileman's Old Style Lager, starting with "Is das nicht ein water spring? Ya, das icht ein water spring". This goes on through the brewing process, mercifully leaving out such stages as "Is das nicht ein bottle cap?"

The song is fully as repetitive as "The 12 Days of Christmas," so it's a good thing is lasts less than three minutes, or you would be shouting, "Is das nicht genung Schnitzelbank??"

Circa 1955

[A Schnitzelbank, by the way, is a wood carving bench. I've known the song all my life, and just found that out a few minutes ago. You can learn more here; including that some of the couplets involve an Ochsen Blas (ox bladder) and Haufen Mist (manure pile). The song is theoretically a teaching tool. The teacher is supposed to point to these objects on a poster during the song; one wonders what the point of the lesson could be.]

The other side of the record, "The Heileman Waltz," again praises Old Style, although in three-quarter time. It starts off with a snatch of Leroy Anderson's "Belle of the Ball," but then moves on.

Heileman's Old Style is still brewed, although the rights to the brand have passed through many hands since this record was made. The La Crosse brewery is in use today, but producing other brands.

By the way, the Duquesne song mentioned above ("It Outsells...Because It Excels") is newly remastered and sounding much better. Listening to it again, I am virtually certain that the uncredited singers are the J's with Jamie. There's a download link in the comments to this post.

Most of the previous beer promos have been from my collection. The Heileman record comes from the Internet Archive. And before I forget - let me thank my pal Ernie for hipping me to the Heileman hops.