Beer menu

of the

40's

Beer Menus

from the 1930's and 1940's

(Above) Ale, Porter and Stout descriptions, edited from a NH distributor's ad, in 1935. Notice that health claims were still allowed in the early years after Repeal, and the erroneous claim that Ballantine was the "oldest brewing firm in America". At the time, both the Boston Beer Company (founded 1828) and D. G. Yuengling of Pottsville, PA (1829) and possibly other breweries that had opened after Repeal were older than Ballantine.

Price list at World's Fair Ballantine Inn, 1939.

Ballantine’s India Pale Ale

ORIGINALLY brewed for export without refrigeration: Dry-hopped to heighten bouquet and flavor. Aging continues in the bottle, a mellowing process that causes a slight cloudiness (the distinguishing mark of India Pale Ale brewed according to old-time methods).

Ballantine’s XXX Ale

THIS ale is a light amber in color with an abundant, creamy head. Slightly heavier than beer, it is distinguished by a subtle smoothness and lingering flavor that is a masterpiece of brewing art.

(Source: 1941 - Promotional material)

Industry sources took note of these major exceptions to the Tied House prohibitions enacted in most states after Repeal.

Local NYC brewers F & M Schaefer and Liebmann Breweries (Rheingold) also operated restaurants at the Fair.

Ballantine Three Ring Inn claimed to be the largest restaurant at the 1939-1940 World's Fair, able to serve 20,000 people a day. It featured a 140 foot long bar and a 45' X 14' 'beer vault' with 40 barrels of light and dark lager beer and ale tapped at all times, with 100 barrels in reserve.

(Right) "BPR" stands for "Bumper", apparently an English term for a large bottle, which Ballantine used for both their long neck quart bottles and "cone top" quart beer cans. US brewing industry of the time also routinely referred to 12 oz. bottles as "pints" and "splits" here refers to the small 6 or 7 oz. bottles (aka known as "ponies" or "nips" in the US).

OFFICIAL NJ "STATE MINIMUM" PRICE LIST FOR THE BALLANTINE PORTFOLIO, 1964

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