"Beyond the obvious hat, there's the now-closed, legendary Brown Derby restaurant chain, one of Old Hollywood stars' favorite eateries. There's the cocktail made in tribute to that restaurant by a neighboring venue called the Brown Derby - one of the best, not-so-sweet bourbon cocktails, it's still a classic today. And then, there's the beer. Like the restaurant, Brown Derby pilsner is no longer with us, but it still holds a place in many beer lovers' hearts."
"In 1933, West Coast Grocery Company wanted a private label beer to sell at two its different chains now that Prohibition had been repealed and shoppers were looking for beer on store shelves again. The company wanted to call it "Brown Derby," to benefit off the name recognition of the also West Coast-based Brown Derby - knowing the name exuded quality and prestige to consumers. It tapped Humboldt Brewing Company in Eureka, California to create Brown Derby, a pilsner, for Safeway and MacMarr locations."
West Coast Grocery Company created a private-label pilsner called Brown Derby in 1933 to sell at Safeway and MacMarr after Prohibition ended. Humboldt Brewing Company in Eureka, California brewed the pilsner, which was initially bottled and featured puzzles under its caps. As packaging evolved, the beer moved into cans featuring a brown derby hat and cane image to evoke the restaurant's prestige. The restaurant objected and raised branding questions, yet the pilsner remained popular. The beer is now discontinued but remains remembered by beer enthusiasts for its old-school character and packaging gimmicks.
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