This 1952 magazine ad for Schlitz beer puts a playful supernatural spin on the company’s famous slogan, “The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous.” Featuring the headline “This Is My Favorite Haunt!”, the ad depicts a pair of friendly, translucent ghosts drifting toward a neighborhood tavern, apparently unable to resist the temptation of a cold Schlitz, even in the afterlife. Inside, well-dressed patrons enjoy their beers in a cozy bar, blissfully unaware of their otherworldly visitors. The accompanying copy assures readers that they haven’t “a ghost of a chance” of finding a finer beer, while boasting that Schlitz was America’s best-selling brew. With its whimsical artwork, clever Halloween-friendly wordplay, and unmistakable mid-century advertising charm, this ad is a great example of how beer companies used humor and memorable imagery to sell their products during the 1950s.
