The Real Draft Beer Experience: Peil's Where To Buy

Piels Real Draft Beer is a German beer that was originally brewed in Brooklyn, New York. Founded in 1883 by the Piel brothers, Piels was a regional lager beer that was once popular but has since been discontinued. Today, vintage Piels beer cans and bottles are available for purchase on eBay and specialty websites such as Breweriana.com. These items offer a glimpse into the history of brewing and advertising, with some dating back to the 1950s and 1960s.

Piels Real Draft Beer history

Piels Beer, also called Piel Bros. Beer and Piel's Beer, is a regional lager beer originally brewed in Brooklyn, New York City. The beer was founded in 1883 by the Piel brothers: Gottfried, Michael and Wilhelm Piel. Michael, a German descendant, was the brewer and had served in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. Inspired by the modernisation of industries in Berlin, he moved away from his family's farming background and became interested in brewing. He began his apprenticeship as a brewer in the old-style subterranean cellars at the breweries of Dortmund, Westphalia.

In 1883, Michael joined his brother Gottfried, an export merchant in New York City, and together they founded a brewery in East New York. They secured the title to a small old-style brewing plant and set about converting it to newer ideas, using modern scientific principles. The soft water from Long Island was preferred by German brewers, and the brewery's location in Brooklyn meant it was in good company, as breweries in the area proliferated. Michael was the brewer, superintendent, and engineer, working long hours to perfect his product. By 1888, the brewery was prospering, and by 1898, the partnership had become a corporation, gaining a national reputation.

The demand for Piels Beer continued to grow, and the original plant was demolished and rebuilt with modern refrigeration. The brewery enjoyed further success, and its reputation spread abroad, with brewing experts visiting to study Michael's work. In the 1950s, the company expanded, buying Trommer's beer in Bushwick, Brooklyn, and the plant of Rubsam and Hormann in Stapleton, Staten Island. However, in the face of increasing competition from national brands, Piels struggled to maintain its market position. In 1963, the company was sold to the Associated Brewing Company of Detroit, Michigan, and the original Piels plant closed in 1973 after 90 years of operation. The brand changed hands several times before eventually being discontinued by Pabst Brewing Company in April 2015.

Piels Real Draft Beer, introduced in cans, was a milestone in brewing history. The product was advertised with the slogan "The kind of beer you first loved" and was marketed as a German beer from Brooklyn, New York.

Where to buy Piels beer cans

Piels Beer is a German beer that was originally brewed in Brooklyn, New York. The Piels Brewing Company was established in 1883 and is family-owned.

You can find Piels Beer cans for sale on eBay and Etsy.

Etsy offers a wide range of Piels Beer memorabilia, including vintage beer cans, bottles, coasters, stickers, and glassware. Some of these items are empty, while others are full and sealed. You can also find Piels Beer merchandise, such as T-shirts, can coolers, and tap handles.

On eBay, you can find a variety of Piels Beer cans, both full and empty. These include vintage cans from the 1950s to the 1980s, featuring different designs and openings, such as flat tops, pull tabs, and punch tops. Some of these cans are listed as "buy it now," while others are up for auction.

While Piels Beer may be available at other online retailers or local beer stores, eBay and Etsy seem to be the most popular sources for purchasing Piels Beer cans and related products.

Piels Brewing Company

The soft water from Long Island was preferred by German brewers, and the brewery's location in Brooklyn was a strategic choice, as breweries in the area were proliferating at the time. By 1888, the business was thriving, and the partnership became a corporation in 1898, gaining a national reputation. The demand for Piels beer continued to grow, and the plant was expanded twice during Michael Piel's lifetime. The brewery's reputation spread internationally, and it was known for its constant scientific advances in brewing, led by Michael's innovative ideas.

In the 1950s, Piels expanded significantly, acquiring other breweries and plants. However, they faced increasing competition from national brands, which, coupled with a lengthy brewery strike in 1949, allowed out-of-town brewers to gain a foothold in the New York market. As a result, the original Piels dynasty came to an end, and the company was sold in 1963. The brand changed hands several times over the years, and the original Piels plant closed down in 1973.

In 2018, the brand was relaunched in the New York region by the Piels Brewing Company, owned by the direct descendants of the former Piel Bros. LP President, Thomas P. Hawkes. This new incarnation of the company aims to restore the integrity of the Piels name and deliver a high-quality product.

While I cannot provide specific locations where you can buy Piels Real Draft Beer, it appears that it is available in the New York region, as the brand has been relaunched in this area.

Piels beer advertising

Piels Beer, also known as Piel Bros. Beer and Piel's Beer, was originally brewed in Brooklyn, New York, at 315 Liberty Avenue. Founded in 1883 by the Piel brothers, the brand enjoyed a successful run until it was discontinued by Pabst Brewing Company in April 2015.

In the 1950s, Piels launched a television advertising campaign featuring Bert and Harry Piel, the fictitious animated owners and pitchmen for the brewery. The animated spots were created by the Young & Rubicam ad agency, with character voices provided by comedians Bob and Ray. The Bert and Harry commercials aired from December 1955 until 1960 and are considered collectors' items today. The popularity of these ads is thought to have attracted new drinkers to the brand, although an article in Sports Illustrated suggested that the ads may have ultimately hurt sales, as people tried the beer and did not enjoy it.

In the following decade, Piels continued its advertising success with advertisements featuring New York City journalist Jimmy Breslin. However, the brand soon faced increasing competition from national brands such as Schlitz, Pabst, and Budweiser, which slowly overtook the market. This, coupled with a disastrous 81-day brewery strike in 1949, allowed out-of-town brewers to establish a foothold in New York City, contributing to the decline of the Piels brand.

Today, Piels Beer products and memorabilia are available for purchase on sites such as Etsy and eBay, with items ranging from vintage beer cans and bottles to coasters, trays, and other promotional items.

Piels beer collectors' items

Piels Beer, also known as Piel Bros. Beer or Piel's Beer, has a long history dating back to its founding in 1883 by the Piel brothers: Gottfried, Michael and Wilhelm Piel. The original brewery was located in the East New York section of Brooklyn, New York City, at 315 Liberty Avenue.

Over the years, Piels Beer has become a sought-after collector's item, with many items bearing the Piels name, logo and imagery appearing on sites such as eBay. Here are some examples of Piels Beer collectors' items:

• Vintage Piels Beer Trays: These trays often feature the brand name and imagery, such as the iconic gnome waiter or the fictitious owners, Bert and Harry Piel. They are typically made of metal or plastic and measure around 12 to 13 inches in diameter.
• Piels Beer Cans: Empty and full beer cans from different eras are available, including flat tops, pull tabs, and punch tops. Some cans are from specific locations and periods, such as the 1950s Piels Light Beer Can Flat Top Half Quart from Brooklyn, New York.
• Piels Beer Coasters: Vintage Piels Beer coasters with brand-related imagery and slogans are available in lots, such as a lot of 16 vintage mid-century Piels Beer coasters.
• Piels Beer Bottle and Can Openers: Vintage Piels Beer bottle and can openers, some in their original packaging, are available for collectors.
• Piels Beer Inflatable Beer Can Display: A new packaged Piels Beer inflatable beer can hanging display is available for those looking for unique promotional items.
• Piels Beer Prototype Market Test Printers Proof Foil Can & Bottle Labels: These rare items provide a glimpse into the branding and design choices considered by the company.

These items offer a glimpse into the history of Piels Beer and its impact on the brewing industry, making them valuable additions to any beer collector's repertoire.

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