By     Norman M. Covert  - '61 - of MD)

“Mr. Boh,” ubiquitous image of Baltimore’s former National Brewing Co., helped me introduce my recent commentary on union power in Maryland. It was entitled “Froth off the Mug: No Beer Summit By ‘Mr. Boh.’”

I was informed that “Mr. Boh” still has a huge fan base! I doubled back in research and verified the reverence for Brewers Hill and Baltimore’s jealous ownership of the National Bohemian brand.

Brewers Hill is a ghost town of empty buildings which once contained huge vats for culturing the secret ingredients brought from the “Old Country.” It was home of the National Brewing Co. and Gunther Brewery. They were entreprenurial efforts of the large German immigrant population that inhabited Baltimore at the turn of the 20th century.

“Mr. Boh, or “Natty Boh,” is an icon of Marylanders who love their history and their brews. Say it right, spell it right, and it will taste good, Hon! It’s all in respect.

One reader confused “Mr. Boh” with “Rich Uncle Pennybags,” a 1936 Parker Brothers creation added to the wildly successful board game, Monopoly. The character was recently renamed “Mr. Monopoly,” by new owners Hasbro.

Despite any similarities you might envision, “Rich Uncle Pennybags” is a depiction of the prototypical Yankee tycoon, funded by “filthy lucre.” Some commentary said he was inspired by the image of legendary steel magnate J. P. Morgan.

“Mr. Boh” is probably the antithesis of “Rich Uncle Pennybags.” He has a twinkle in his eye; a bit of mischief perceived whether from the right – or left; a manly mustache sans wax; sometimes serving but always exhibiting a discerning taste for a good brew in a town full of cozy neighborhood watering holes.

What a disappointment to go to Orioles Park at Camden Yards last year and have to pay $6.00 for a Coors in a plastic bottle. It was “Natty Boh” in a real bottle or paper cup at Memorial Stadium when the Orioles and Colts were in residence on 33rd street. I’m told sports writers at least perpetuated the designation of the park when the Colts were playing there: “World Largest Insane Asylum.”

The demise of National Bohemian reportedly was due to the recipe of the brew– it did not have a long shelf life, thus denying its distribution far outside Baltimore. The brewmasters excluded preservatives and other means of extending its shelf life, which would also have changed its flavor and body. National Brewing, then introduced what became Colt 45, a brew with all the capability of shipping long distance. However, market share had already been captured by several national brands. The National Brewing Company was purchased by Pabst and now is brewed in North Carolina under contract to Miller Brewing.

If you look closely in the lower shelves of your local liquor stores, you might find “Mr. Boh” in the back or underneath. I recently picked up a six-pack for 40/8 comrade, but it was difficult to find amid the more pedestrian priced beer. I haven’t heard if it compares to the original product — probably not, but still the bottle said, “National Bohemian.” It can’t be all bad returning to “The Land of Pleasant Living.”

I am appreciative of Maryland bloggers “Tom and Fran” for their nostalgic depiction in February of Brewers Hill in their blog: http://tomcat56.wordpress.com/2011/02/15/ghosts-of-baltimores-brewing-past . The ad above came from the site. Sorry I have no other info about them, but do recommend you take a look at their work.

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Contact Norman Covert at nmcovert77@aol.com