So I was driving out here to what will most likely be my last drill weekend at NOSC Chicago located on the beautiful NAVSTA Great Lakes and I hear this commercial on the radio. I was not paying a whole lot of attention at first, but then I heard them say “Natty Lite.”
I thought to myself, “Could it be?”
That is, could it be the fine, yet inexpensive (OK mostly inexpensive) brew that generations of VMI cadets enjoyed?
Of course would be none other than National Bohemian.
This was a beer I was first introduced to in the fine establishment of Estelle’s. It was a…well…a dive. But it was our dive. Wood floors, two worn pool tables, lots of faded and dusty VMI paraphenelia on the walls, and Lynryd Skynyrd on the juke box. This was where newly minted Fourth Classmen (yeah, Rats really, but you didn’t have to strain anymore) could go and drink. They made some interesting chili up there and of course burgers.
I think even when we were Thirds (and what do Thirds eat?) we would go up there. Not that Lexington had a whole lot of drinking establishments in the mid-80s, something like three.
Estelle’s is gone now, but not forgotten. Good place, good times.
Anyway, that commercial was for Natural Lite, so my Natty Boh exposure remains the same: I had not heard of it before and I have not heard of it since.
Nice memories (well, those that I can remember anyway).
I will just sit back with the Guiness…
UPDATE: Well it looks like I will be enjoying OCT and NOV in Great Lakes after all. Won’t get to make that wonderful flight to beautiful Hartford enroute NOSC New London until December…
beer post!!!
Though I’m a Rolling Rock man myself…
FAT TIRE ALE!
Smooth sippn…wit a kick! Goes down clean on a hot Sept.day in SO-CAL. Best served during “Santa-Ana” fire season. Gat ya brush cleared? Serious, this year could be the bad-assed worst in decades. Tinder dry to the Arizona border.
Pray for rain this way!!!
The same company made a beer called National Premium that was outstanding. Beer and food, the best things about Baltimore.
Now, having commented on beer, I feel I can make an OT comment. Today, driving north on I-5, I saw a 2 ID Striker convoy enter from the on- ramp from Fort Lewis. I drove along side for a few miles. I was surprised by how small they are, compared to my impression from photos and video. They were rolling at about 55 mph and were quiet, no louder than a small truck. Wow.
BullNav,
I share your nostalgia for Estelle’s.
A bowl of chili, plate of fries, and 2 beers for about 4 $. Then there is the bonus of having “Bonanza, The Lost Episodes” playing on the one small TV.
I guess the only thing that rivals this nostalgia is a Zollmans party, preferably with ‘someone’ too close to the grill, or 4 wheeling across the pasture.
I agree and am glad that we have moved on with our beer tastes however. Guiness is fine, but now I also enjoy Newcastle Brown, Sam Smiths, or my new discoveries of ‘Old Engine Oil’ and Ola Dubh from Scotland.
Amazing! Something worthwhile at Great Mistakes. The entire area is not much better than the “gut” in Naples. I still do not understand the logic or more correctly, the lack of concerning closing NTC/RTC San Diego.
Company 73-307 at RTC San Diego, BTW.
I was in Oceanside for my niece’s wedding in June of last year and the missus and I took a spin. She is Granite Hills, El Cajon class of ’72. It was a deep shock to see the million dollar townhomes where I pounded the grinder as a fresh faced pup from the Montana Prairies. It is where I embarked on my Naval Career. The only thing left on Rosecrans was Der Weinerschnitzel. At least Anthony’s was still on Harbor Drive. Unfortuantely the USS Midway’s and the Star of India’s handicapped parking were full. The missus doesn’t walk very well due to injuries from the past. But I digress. San Diego is a Navy Town. 32nd Street, Amphib Base Coronado, NAS North Island, OLF Imperial Beach. The waypoint for the Air Wings going to sea and coming back. Ever ridden in the infamous North Island Cattle Cars?
But then again it is like most of my career, gone or turned into something else.
Ah yes…Estelles.
Third and fourth class year pounding beers, competing to build the biggest pyramid of Natty Bo cans with another table of BR’s. Everyone sitting around in open blouses or tee shirts & woolies.
I could say I remember it well, but since most of the few blackout periods in my life occurred there,it would’nt be quite true
WOW. Good pull!
National Bohemian beer is still made in Baltimore where the Lord Baltimore logo blinks down on everyone each night.