Forgotten Beer Brands from the 1960s You Won’t Believe Existed

Forgotten Beer Brands from the 1960s You Won’t Believe Existed

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. Your support helps keep this nostalgic time machine running!

The 1960s was a decade of change—rock music was reshaping culture, television was finding its golden age, and even beer was undergoing a quiet revolution. While some breweries grew into national icons that still fill our fridges today, countless others were lost in the shuffle. Many of these forgotten brands were once regional favorites, advertising powerhouses, or neighborhood staples that kept working-class America refreshed after long shifts.

Let’s crack open a cold one and revisit some of the forgotten beer brands from the 60s that time has left behind—and how you can still bring a little of that vintage beer culture into your own home bar today.

Ballantine Ale

Once one of the largest breweries in the United States, Ballantine Ale was a powerhouse in the mid-20th century. Known for its bold advertising and triple-ring logo (representing purity, body, and flavor), Ballantine was especially popular in the Northeast. By the late 1960s, however, sales were slipping as lighter lagers dominated.

If you’d like to relive its heyday, vintage-style Ballantine print ads are the perfect touch for a retro bar corner.

Falstaff Beer

If you grew up in the Midwest or South during the 60s, you probably remember Falstaff. Named after Shakespeare’s beloved comic character, Falstaff was at one point the third-largest brewery in America. Their slogan—“America’s Premium Quality Beer”—was everywhere. But corporate mismanagement and a lack of modernization slowly eroded its market share.

Today, replica Falstaff collectibles let you bring a little of that once-great brewing tradition into your living room pub.

Rheingold Beer

A New York staple, Rheingold Beer wasn’t just known for its taste—it was famous for the “Miss Rheingold” beauty contest, one of the most successful marketing campaigns of the era. From 1940 through the 1960s, New Yorkers would cast millions of votes each year to choose the Miss Rheingold girl, who became a cultural icon.

For fans of vintage advertising, reprints of vintage ads make stunning décor pieces, both nostalgic and conversation-starting.

National Bohemian (Natty Boh)

Ask anyone from Baltimore about Natty Boh, and you’ll see a nostalgic smile. While technically still produced in limited runs today, its golden age was the 1960s when nearly 90% of all beer sold in Baltimore was Natty Boh. Its one-eyed mascot, Mr. Boh, became a quirky symbol of local pride.

Collectors today can still find Mr. Boh mugs, hats, and shirts—a fun way to wear a bit of Maryland brewing history.

Schmidt’s Beer

Not to be confused with “Schlitz,” Schmidt’s of Philadelphia was a major regional brewery during the 60s. Their beer was affordable, accessible, and a go-to for working families. Schmidt’s marketing leaned heavily into blue-collar branding, making it a beloved neighborhood beer.

You can still capture that down-to-earth pub vibe with a logo magnet or even a classic beer brand neon sign—perfect for home bars or man caves.

Hamm’s Beer

“The beer… refreshing!” If you remember the jingle, you were definitely around in the 60s. Hamm’s Beer, with its lovable animated bear mascot, was hugely popular across the Midwest. The ads were fun, catchy, and family-friendly—an unusual tactic for a beer company.

The Hamm’s Bear still has cult status among collectors. Today, you can find neon lights and vintage-style bar signs that keep that playful spirit alive.

Blatz Beer

Milwaukee was once the heart of American brewing, and Blatz was one of its shining stars. Founded in the 1850s, Blatz was still going strong in the 1960s, especially in the Midwest. Their slogan—“Blatz is Milwaukee’s Finest Beer”—resonated with locals, but consolidation in the beer industry eventually pushed them aside.

Want to honor the Milwaukee brewing legacy? Retro posters from Blatz make excellent collector’s items.

Olympia Beer

With its catchy slogan “It’s the Water,” Olympia was a West Coast favorite. Its branding played off the natural springs of Tumwater, Washington, where the beer was brewed. The 1960s were its golden years, but larger national brands eventually swallowed its market.

Olympia lives on today in reprint bar signs—a must-have for anyone who wants to bring back that “Pacific Northwest cool.”

Why These Brands Disappeared

So why did so many once-beloved 60s beer brands disappear? The answer comes down to consolidation, competition, and changing tastes. As national powerhouses like Budweiser, Coors, and Miller ramped up production and distribution, regional breweries couldn’t keep up. Add in aggressive advertising campaigns from the big brands, and smaller players slowly vanished from shelves.

Final Sip of Nostalgia

Beer in the 1960s was more than just a drink—it was tied to community, family gatherings, and regional pride. While many of these brands no longer dominate the market, they live on in vintage ads, neon bar signs, and the memories of those who grew up with them.

Next time you crack open a cold one, raise a glass to the forgotten beers of the 60s—because sometimes, the best brews are the ones that remind us of where we’ve been. For my 60’s beer nostalgia check out the full video on YouTube.

As an Amazon Associate and participant in other affiliate programs, I may earn from qualifying purchases. These small commissions help keep Nostalgia Area going — and let me keep digging up the fun, weird, and sugar-filled gems of the past. Thanks for supporting the channel and blog!