blobbottlebob
Well-Known Member
Ever find a bottle embossed with the phrase "THE BEST WHAT GIVES"? You are not alone (if you have). John Graf was one of the most prolific bottlers of sodas and weiss beers from Milwaukee. One thing that was amazing about the company (besides their command of the english language) was the vast number and types of bottles they used. I am convinced that John Graf was a marketing genius. He changed bottle types often to reflect changing bottle styles and used an amazing array of closure mechanisms. He also advertised, made stoppers, glasses, seltzers, openers, ash trays, . . you name it, trying to get the name out there at every opportunity. I thought that it might be neat to begin a post showing some of the various bottles that he made. It will certainly be easy to add new pics on a regular basis because of the many variants out there.
One great thing about Graf bottles is that anyone trying hard enough can get their hands on one. Common examples can easily be purchased. They turn up on the bay often enough. On the other hand, some Graf bottles are so rare that stacks of hundreds wouldn't help (because none are out there for sale).
Many people nowadys still remember Grandpa Graf's root beer. It may even be still available. Last I heard, an Illinois company called Canfields was still selling it. Graf's was, however, a prolific brewer of weiss beer at the turn of the century. There are some great examples to come that will show that better.
Graf began his bottling career in 1873 in a partnership with Phillip Madlener. (date is credited to Roger Peters - Thanks Roger!) About ten years later, Graf bottles no longer had the Madlener embossing. It seems appropriate to start with a few pics of those early bottles.
One great thing about Graf bottles is that anyone trying hard enough can get their hands on one. Common examples can easily be purchased. They turn up on the bay often enough. On the other hand, some Graf bottles are so rare that stacks of hundreds wouldn't help (because none are out there for sale).
Many people nowadys still remember Grandpa Graf's root beer. It may even be still available. Last I heard, an Illinois company called Canfields was still selling it. Graf's was, however, a prolific brewer of weiss beer at the turn of the century. There are some great examples to come that will show that better.
Graf began his bottling career in 1873 in a partnership with Phillip Madlener. (date is credited to Roger Peters - Thanks Roger!) About ten years later, Graf bottles no longer had the Madlener embossing. It seems appropriate to start with a few pics of those early bottles.