Those of us who grew up here in “the land of pleasant living” know Mr. Boh, the beloved one-eyed, mustachioed mascot of National Bohemian beer, nicknamed Natty Boh. The beer, first produced in 1885, was a sponsor of the Baltimore Orioles and the star of memorable radio and TV commercials. Gallons of the American Lager flowed into the mouths of happy fans at the old Memorial Stadium in its heyday. However, many younger people have also enjoyed or become aware of Natty Boh and its logo and slogans, as the beer remains immensely popular here. Reportedly, 90% of Natty Boh is sold in Baltimore, although it is currently produced in other states.
Once the manufacturer of Natty Boh and other beers, this Canton complex on Dillon Street that bears a large and highly visible neon-lit image of Mr. Boh dates back to 1872, but it has not even been a brewery since 1978, and the last Natty Boh produced in Maryland was in 1996. The company was merged, sold and resold a few times, beginning in 1975, but the brand survives, as does the building. It is literally the pinnacle of a 30-acre housing, office and retail Brewers Hill complex developed by Obrecht Commercial Real Estate, which proudly embraces the beer heritage in building names and signage that reflect the site’s beer brewing past.
