My great ‘Gansett year.
“They want shots with their beers.” he said. “No shots, just Narragansett Beer - that’s what I’m promoting. Get the Seagram’s guy to buy them shots,” I said. “He’s nowhere around,” came the reply. “Tough,” I said. “Give everyone another ‘Gansett on me.”
It was the fall of 1957. I was a mission man for the Narragansett brewery, the largest seller of beer and beer products in New England. The brewery sponsored all the Red Sox games and had Irene Hennessey and Curt Gowdy as its public face.
“Hi Neighbor, have a ‘Gansett,” was the slogan. It appeared on car bumpers, on beer glasses and on signs in front of liquor stores and bars throughout the region. I drove a panel truck throughout the region that had a huge plastic mockup of a Giant Imperial Quart (39.37 oz.) on its roof. I got high fives and thumbs up from everyone on the road and in the cities and towns of the region. It was fun.
