Here is an Wooden Old Reading Beer Sign from the Old Reading Brewing Company located in Reading, PA. This is a double sided sign that would have been hung in the middle of a bar or tavern to advertise Old Reading Beer. The brewery used a lot of PA Dutch references in their advertising at the time; this sign is one of a few variations of this kind of sign. Some were made single sided which are much more common, while other had different PA Dutch inscriptions on the bottom. I do have similar single sided one for sale, click here to view it.
This sign consists of 3 part, the main part that Reads “Old Reading Beer” with a smaller sign hanging below it that reads “Traditionally Pennsylvania Dutch” and a third smaller sign with the inscription that reads “Kumm Alls Widder”. I know the inscription is PA Dutch but haven’t been able to translate it yet.
The guy I got this sign from said it came out of an old Dutchmen’s barn out in Lancaster, PA. Reading beer was distributed throughout PA and as far as New Jersey and Maryland. It’s possible the signs could have come from a bar in the Lancaster, PA area but I’m not sure on that. I always love hearing stories that come with pieces that I buy. All in all this is a very nice and very rare piece. I’m very happy to have it in my collection.