Two years after the neon lights burned out in the Natty Boh sign, the iconic Baltimore fixture will shine once again – now with LEDs.On Sept. 25, the National Bohemian beer company will relight Mr. Boh with new light-emitting diodes, or LEDs. The sign, which measures 27 feet tall and 30 feet wide, has sat atop the former National Brewing Co. building in Brewers Hill for 20 years.From neon to LEDsThe switch from neon to LEDs was prompted by multiple factors, said Nitasha Chopra, brand manager for National Bohemian.Popular through much of the 20th century, neon lights evoke a certain nostalgia today. But while they can be fun to see in bars, they’re not exactly practical for larger-scale projects like a rooftop sign, Chopra said.“Repairing a neon of that size is extremely costly, but it also just doesn’t make sense for long-term investment and for longevity of the actual lighting,” she said.Neon lights also use more electricity than their LED counterparts, making the latter a more environmentally friendly alternative.The neon lights on the Natty Boh sign could only glow red, but the new LEDs open up so many more creative possibilities.The LEDs can be lit an array of colors, which Chopra foresees being changed to orange for the Orioles, purple for the Ravens, green for St. Patrick’s Day, rainbow for Pride Month, and so on.There will also be different effects, including flashing lights; trailing lights; meaning the light chases itself; varying speeds; gradual transitions from one color to the next; and more.“The functionality is so much more fun,” Chopra said.And yes, Mr. Boh will be able to wink again.A Baltimore iconNational Bohemian stopped brewing in Baltimore in 1978, yet the beer – and, just as much if not more so, its mascot – have remained beloved by Baltimoreans.“Anytime I go to Baltimore and talk to somebody, they say ‘My grandfather drank it. My grandfather’s dad drank it. I drink it now.’ There’s just so much heritage behind it,” said Nitasha Chopra, brand manager for National Bohemian.Maryland makes up about 75% of the company’s beer sales, with 370,000 cases sold in the state per year. While the company is still far short of its 2013 numbers, when they sold almost one million cases of beer in Maryland that year, Chopra said the company is regaining ground since the Orioles welcomed Natty Boh back to menus at Camden Yards for the team’s 2024 season.Like the Orioles Bird and Ravens’ Poe, Mr. Boh has become a Baltimore icon. His one eye, handlebar mustache, middle-parted curls, and charming smile can be seen on t-shirts, artworks, and other media.Chopra said Natty Boh has such strong staying power in Baltimore because it became a part of the city’s roots.“I think Baltimoreans are very prideful, so it’s something that they had that was grown and brewed and developed in Baltimore,” she said. “Even though it’s not being brewed there anymore, there’s just so much nostalgic history tied to it.”Plus, Natty Boh is the only beer company with a “living, breathing mascot,” Chopra said.An enlightening celebrationChopra said “the timing couldn’t be more perfect” for the sign relighting on Sept. 25, as the brand turns 140 years old next year.“I think the relighting is a celebration of Baltimore’s roots, a reminder of our shared history, and a moment for the community to really come together,” she said. But it’s also a way for National Bohemian to show its gratitude, Chopra said. “Aside from it just being a lighting ceremony, it’s also an appreciation event to really show our appreciation for all of the restaurant owners, the independent liquor owners, the gatekeepers, the bartenders, and even the community who have continued to support Natty Boh for all these years,” she said. “They’re the ones really keeping the brand alive.”