Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Retro Wednesday......





Growing up in Michigan, you got used to buying beer in party stores, drug stores, gas stations, grocery stores, just about anywhere!
But being so close to Canada, (Sarnia Ontario is only about 50 miles away)we did a lot of fishing and travelling in that fine country, and we were quite aware that one had to purchase Canadian Beer at what was then called The Brewer's Retail. A few years back they changed it to The Beer Store!
Prior to 1984, All Canadian beer bottles were the 'pop-off' type. In a box by the cash register, they kept beer openers that you could put on your key ring. They either gave them away, or they sold for about a nickel, I can't remember, but that key ring in the middle pic, has a 'Church Key' attached.
I've had this key ring since about 1975, and the teeny tiny screw-driver, I've had even longer.
Hehehehehe...'Church Key'! I bet it's been a while since you've heard that term eh?
Peace...!!!

17 comments:

Serena said...

Here, you can buy beer pretty much anywhere but liquor has to be purchased from a state-run store. I remember the term "church key" but don't recall what they're used for. Clearly, it's been a while.:)

Anonymous said...

OMG a church key. It's been like forever since I've heard that. :)

lime said...

lol, my dad uses that term all the time.

of course here in PA we have to go to a beer distributor for kegs or 6 packs or cases.

Maude Lynn said...

Here, you can only buy 3.2 beer in grocery stores and convenience stores. For the good stuff, you have to go to a liquor store.

We always used the metal end of a seat belt to open beer bottles.

big Jenn said...

Ahhh a church key. I've heard that term many times. My husband still always says church key instead of bottle opener. jeNN

the walking man said...

Well I'd rather know w Beerstian any day. That church is more fun and the preaching less tedious..

Perchpike said...

Did you get that key with some IPA or Export on a trip to Jack's? If you did I know some of it ended on Alex's tackle box. FISH ON

Dulçe ♥ said...

Here you can buy all types of beer almost everywhere, most canned.
People find it easy to get drunk, that is why they do not often do!!!

Fireblossom said...

Oh I can just see Mama Zen doing that, too.

I can remember when Coke machines dispensed glass bottles (Coke is actually better in a glass bottle, imho), with a rack for the empties to one side and an opener built into the front of the machine.

Shadow said...

1975????? don't you EVER loose anything??? just kiddin...

buffalodick said...

I gave my first "church key" key ring to my first car ('65 Ford) to my youngest son- who uses it to this day.. 40 yrs. old, and has opened a lot of beer bottles!

Lynn said...

The Beer Store. Simply stated and you know what you'll get there. Yes - I remember the term church key. :)

Nessa said...

Couldn't just use your teeth like a real man? ; )

Jessie said...

church key????
i've never heard it ...

clean and crazy said...

i got an old church key with a stick man holding it, the church key is in the shape of a guitar and the holder looks like he is playing it.
i will have to get you a picture of it, it is older then me, my grandma had it for as long as i could remember.

Akelamalu said...

We get our beer etc from the supermarket. Maybe not for much longer though, if the Government have their way we won't be able to buy it anywhere!

Lulda Casadaga said...

When I first heard that word I didn't know what they were talking about...I remember when living in OKLAHOMA the alcohal level in beer was so low...I had to drink the hard stuff to get wasted! :D