"Bar Ahead"... Neon Bar Sign that is!

In 1760, the intrepid explorer and hunter, Daniel Boone, demonstrated his grasp of spelling and grammar in the immortalized media of pine tree trunk. Apparently he was happy that he had gotten the animal before it got him, but he is reported to have carved “D Boone kilt a bar” into a Kentucky pine (or maybe it was an Ohio, Pennsylvania or Missouri pine). Don’t panic its not that kid of “bar” (yeah my wife didn’t think it was funny either).

So, Dan’l kilt a bar in the woods of some state (or probably a lot of them) and I have personally kilt many a brew at many a stained wood bar. I carved my name in a few tables too (Don’t tell the owner).

What is that behind every bar in the world? Why it’s the Ham’s Bear (see we’re keeping that theme going), or the Corona parrot, or even the Busch stag. Beer neon signs come in so many shapes, sizes and brilliant colors it is no wonder people have been collecting them for years.

Everyone wants a favorite lager, ale or pilsner neon sign in their rumpus room/basement/man cave. What bar mirror is complete without the glow of neon light in front of it. 

Yeah it used to be just something that said “Beer Here” or something else nondescript (I don’t know about you but that type of sign used to be enough). A neon sign showing a golden mug and some white froth is welcome to many a work weary warrior and has been enticing beer lovers for nearly a hundred years to partake of the yellow beverage; the third most popular drink in the world after water and tea.

Beer logos have a historical design tradition and are as crucial to branding and advertising, as a logo for any other product or service. The Bass Ale logo, with a red triangle, was the first trademark to be registered under the British Trade Mark Registration Act of 1875, filed as trademark no.1. All of the big names have them now. The Budweiser crown and red bow-tie, the Miller black and gold MGD, the blue ribbon behind the word Pabst, they all beckoned. Most importantly they give the overindulgent something to point at when talking became an issue near last call.

Miller MGD Neon Bar Sign

So, turn on the glowing light and chug a frosty brew in the great American tradition.