Late last night, a rumor started swirling that had O’s fans up in arms.
Breaking: #NattyBoh – the top selling beer at Camden Yards, will NOT be carried by the @Orioles in 2016. Discuss:https://t.co/hnCi15HSJi
— BeerInBaltimore (@BeerInBaltimore) February 19, 2016
Now, this is a story right in my wheelhouse. Oddly enough, earlier yesterday I had brought up beer and the O’s, albeit in a slightly different manner.
Let's talk about 2 of my favorite things: beer and the Orioles. https://t.co/NwXfzA4vdx pic.twitter.com/Qa8yKLgBx0
— Eutaw Street Report (@EutawStReport) February 18, 2016
While I prefer, personally, to drink beer that’s actually brewed in Baltimore/Maryland, and that actually tastes, you know…good, I can absolutely understand the tradition and nostalgia that connect National Bohemian Beer and the Orioles. (In addition, Boh was usually the cheapest light lager option, and I’d rather reach for that than one of the other “Light” or “Lite” beers when going that route.)
Jerold Hoffberger, who bought part of the team in 1965, was the owner of National Brewing Company in Baltimore. Boh became synonymous with the O’s, and over recent years the wave of nostalgia has introduced an entire new generation of Orioles fans to Mr. Boh. Mr. Boh gear flies off the shelves at local stores, and the company has put together special-edition baseball and football cans for the Baltimore market over the past several years.
O’s fans love drinking the same beer as our parents did while watching our Birds, and pictures like this one are everywhere on social media on summer nights.
@BeerInBaltimore @Orioles you mean I can't do this anymore?! #baltimoretragedy pic.twitter.com/hdQmuE8Lmm
— Kimberly (@OhHeyKim) February 19, 2016
As a result of the news, O’s fans started to lose their minds.
my heart! 💔 https://t.co/AfV7l7XIaE
— Kelly Kreft (@kelkreft) February 19, 2016
This is a tragedy. https://t.co/JhCfyfMgOM
— Patrick Hoffman (@PatrickHoffman7) February 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/DMajic101/status/700510762666749954
This morning, Eduardo Encina of The Sun refuted the report:
Debunking a rumor from last night, #NattyBoh will still be served at Oriole Park at Camden Yards this season. #Orioles #Baltimore
— Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) February 19, 2016
But…
The first base bar formerly named the "Natty Boh Bar" at Oriole Park will have new branding and will now serve a variety of beers. #Orioles
— Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) February 19, 2016
Natty Boh will continue to be sold elsewhere at the ballpark at a dedicated location, according to an #Orioles club source.
— Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) February 19, 2016
Brad, however, who reported the original story, isn’t backing down from his claim.
https://twitter.com/BeerInBaltimore/status/700674928933122048
National football reporter and O’s fan Jason LaCanfora heard some things too.
In the ongoing Boh's vs. O's saga, I'm now hearing that no cans will be available and maybe only one tap for entire stadium. Yikes
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) February 19, 2016
Sounds like the O's have been in a standoff with Natty Boh distributors. Hopefully, they get it resolved before opening day.
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) February 19, 2016
From what I gather, the big beer companies want a bigger stake in stadium sales. Boh was by far biggest selling can at Camden Yards …
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) February 19, 2016
As of now, no Boh cans – not even the sweet 16oz orange ones – will be available, the previous big seller. Hopefully that changes by April
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) February 19, 2016
We’ll have more as we hear it on this developing local tragedy…
Update
Friend of the blog Phil Gentile (of Purple Reign Show), who works in the beverage industry, weighed in:
Intel from my sources on the OPACY @NattyBohs situation………as of right now the @Orioles will NOT have the 16oz Boh cans 1/3
— The Hot Take Kid (@iHateJJRedick) February 19, 2016
Orioles signed a new sponsorship deal with Miller/Coors and to get them to sign they agreed to not sell the Boh cans 2/3
— The Hot Take Kid (@iHateJJRedick) February 19, 2016
Due to the backlash they will sell Boh on draft somewhere in the stadium but the 16oz Boh cans will not be sold at OPACY in 2016 3/3
— The Hot Take Kid (@iHateJJRedick) February 19, 2016
So, if that’s true it sounds like Big Beer is to blame here – no shocker there. I won’t go on a tangent about that at the moment, but suffice to say, if you want to get back at them for elbowing Boh out of the yard, don’t buy their swill. Find some of the fine Maryland-brewed craft selections at the Yard and give your money to them instead.
3 Responses
I don’t suppose it would help the situation if I pointed out that Natty Boh sucks.
No, it’s people like you that SUCK Baron. This is an Oriole tradition as much as wearing an O’s shirt or hat. Tradition means everything to a TRUE Baltimore fan. Maybe you should grab a shitty Coors Lite and become a Yankees fan instead. We don’t need crybaby fans like you bashing our traditions. It just so happens that you are misinformed and WRONG. There will be Natty Boh, the only True Oriole Beer served at the Yard. If I know Oriole fans, which I have been one myself since the 60’s, they will go out of their way to buy the Boh and purposely boycott Miller & Coors.
Have a nice day
Man screw Natty BOH they left the city now they are finally leaving the team. You want to bring back a Baltimore legend to the Yard Bring Back the Pollock!!!!!
Bring Back Pollock Johnny’s ¡!!!!!!!!!!!