National Bohemian

Lore & Background

National Bohemian was first brewed in 1885 by the National Brewing Company. For a time, National's president Jerold Hoffberger also owned the Baltimore Orioles, and Natty Boh was served at Memorial Stadium, becoming the 'official' beer of Baltimore in the late 1960s. The 'Land of Pleasant Living' slogan peaked during the mid-late 1960s when National acquired a Chesapeake Bay skipjack named the 'Chesterpeake' after a pelican from their ads; the vessel traveled the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay for festivals and television commercials. After a 1975 merger with Canadian brewer Carling, the Baltimore brewery at O'Donnell and Conkling streets closed in 1978, and production moved to Halethorpe. Carling-National was purchased by G. Heileman Brewing Company in 1979, which added Tuborg to the Halethorpe brewery. In July 1996, G. Heileman was sold to the Stroh Brewery Company, which closed the Halethorpe plant in two months; the last can of Natty Boh was made there on November 11, 1996, and over 400 workers lost their jobs. The Halethorpe facility was demolished by 2006, while the original Baltimore brewery was redeveloped as the Brewers Hill complex. In 2000, Stroh went out of business and most of its brands, including National Bohemian, were sold to Pabst. Pabst changed the recipe for a time, but by 2009 the website announced a return to the traditional recipe. For over 15 years, the beer was unavailable on draft, but in February 2011 local Baltimore taverns began serving it from kegs, and draft became available at Oriole Park at Camden Yards for the 2011 home season opener.

Reader's Guide

National Bohemian's significance is deeply tied to its role as a Baltimore cultural fixture. The brand's mascot, Mr. Boh—a one-eyed, handlebar-mustachioed figure introduced in 1936—has become an enduring icon, appearing on all cans, bottles, and packaging, and licensed for a Maryland Lottery scratch-off, by Smyth Jewelers, and as the official team mascot of the Baltimore Bohemians soccer team. A Mr. Boh neon sign sits atop the former National Brewery building in Brewer's Hill, visible from I-95. The mascot's origin is uncertain: vice-president of marketing Dawson Farber stated he had 'no idea why he only has one eye,' though it is hinted the head is meant to be viewed from the side. The brand also produced National Bohemian Dark and National Premium (both discontinued after 1996, though National Premium was revived in 2012 by a couple on Maryland's Eastern Shore) and an ice beer called Boh Ice at 5.8% alcohol. Cap Puzzles, pictograms on bottle caps introduced in 1944, were reportedly used by U.S. spies during World War II and remain a staple. From the 1950s through 1978, the brewery sponsored bowling, golf, the PGA Eastern Open Invitational, a softball team, and an ice hockey team. Despite losing market share to Anheuser-Busch in later decades, Natty Boh has seen a resurgence among younger drinkers, and entire stores in Fells Point and Canton are dedicated to Mr. Boh merchandise, with citizens fighting to make him an unofficial spokesman for Baltimore.

Did You Know?

• Nearly 90 percent of National Bohemian sales are in Baltimore.
• The one-eyed mascot Mr. Boh was introduced in 1936, and the reason for his missing eye is unknown.
• National Bohemian's Cap Puzzles, introduced in 1944, were reportedly used by United States spies during World War II.
• The beer was unavailable on draft for over 15 years until February 2011, when it returned to kegs in Baltimore-area taverns.