National Beer Day
National Beer Day on April 7 marks the anniversary of the 1933 Cullen-Harrison Act that effectively ended Prohibition — the day Americans could legally drink beer again after 13 years of enforced dryness. A day to toast American brewing, the craft beer revolution, and the 9,000+ independent American breweries that made the US a global beer destination.
Why it matters
CHEERS TO BREWS!
It’s National Beer Day. On April 7, America toasts the 1933 anniversary of the Cullen-Harrison Act — the law that legalized beer again after 13 years of Prohibition. And we toast the 9,000+ American craft breweries that made the US a global beer destination.
THE STORY
America has been a beer-brewing country since colonial times. The Mayflower’s log mentions beer as one reason the ship stopped at Plymouth instead of continuing to Virginia (‘we could not now take time for further search, our victuals being much spent, especially our beer’). George Washington brewed beer at Mount Vernon. Thomas Jefferson distilled and fermented at Monticello. Benjamin Franklin — despite the apocryphal ‘beer is proof God loves us’ quote (he never said it) — was a brewer. Early American beer was an everyday drink, safer than water, consumed by men, women, and children.
Prohibition (1920-1933) nearly destroyed American brewing. The Volstead Act banned the manufacture, sale, and transport of intoxicating liquors — defined as over 0.5% alcohol. Breweries converted to soft drinks, malt extract, ice cream, or simply closed. Of roughly 1,600 pre-Prohibition American breweries, only ~750 reopened after. The craft of American brewing — particularly German-American and lager traditions — was severely damaged. Home brewing, speakeasies, and organized crime flourished.
The Cullen-Harrison Act, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on March 22, 1933 and effective April 7, 1933, legalized beer of 3.2% alcohol or less. FDR reportedly said “I think this would be a good time for a beer” while signing. Americans drank 1.5 million barrels that first legal day. The 21st Amendment, ratified December 5, 1933, fully repealed Prohibition. But April 7 is still celebrated as “National Beer Day” — the day beer itself came back.
The craft beer revolution began slowly in the 1970s, accelerated dramatically in the 2000s, and has reshaped American brewing. Anchor Brewing (San Francisco, reopened 1965) and Sierra Nevada (Chico, 1979) were the first wave. Boston’s Samuel Adams (1984) democratized craft. The 2000s and 2010s saw an explosion — Dogfish Head, Stone, Founders, Bell’s, Russian River, Tree House, Other Half, countless more. In 2025, there are roughly 9,000 independent American breweries — more breweries per capita than at any point in American history. The craft market now represents 13% of US beer sales. American beer has never been more diverse, more interesting, or more genuinely local.
I would give all my fame for a pot of ale and safety.
FOUR MAJOR AMERICAN BEER STYLES
Styles that American brewers have defined or redefined:
American IPA
India Pale Ale — reinvented by American craft brewers in the 1990s-2000s with aggressive hopping (Cascade, Centennial, Citra, Galaxy hops). Bitter, citrusy, piney. The defining American craft beer style. Examples: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Russian River Pliny the Elder.
American Lager
The dominant American style since post-Prohibition — light, clean, highly carbonated, low bitterness. Budweiser, Coors, Miller. Not beloved by craft beer enthusiasts but still the backbone of American beer consumption (~60% of sales).
Sour / Wild Ale
American reinterpretation of Belgian wild-fermentation beers. Tart, funky, often fruit-added. Russian River, Allagash, Cascade. A rapidly growing craft segment; once niche, now found on most craft beer lists.
Imperial Stout
American take on the British Imperial stout — high alcohol (9-12%), rich, chocolate/coffee notes, often barrel-aged. Bourbon barrel-aged stouts are distinctly American. Goose Island Bourbon County, Founders Breakfast Stout. Premium craft category.
AMERICAN BREWING REGIONS
Six regional traditions in American beer:
DID YOU KNOW?!
Prohibition never ended on Mount Vernon.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate has not served alcohol on the grounds since 1860s (management decision). Despite Washington himself being a commercial distiller. A quirky American historical footnote.
FDR’s beer toast is unverified.
The famous ‘I think this would be a good time for a beer’ FDR quote upon signing Cullen-Harrison is often attributed to him, but no contemporary source records it. The sentiment, though, was true — FDR was an outspoken critic of Prohibition.
The brewery workers’ union celebrated April 7.
The International Union of United Brewery Workers officially declared April 7 ‘National Beer Day’ in 1933 to celebrate the re-legalization. The day has been observed as National Beer Day continuously for 90+ years, though it’s not a federal holiday.
Yuengling’s ‘Black and Tan’ is a classic.
Yuengling’s pre-mixed ‘Black and Tan’ (40% Yuengling Premium / 60% Yuengling Dark Porter) was first brewed during Prohibition as a dessert drink. Still in production. One of the most distinctive American commercial beer styles.
SIP & READ
The Beer Bible
Jeff Alworth · 2015 (2nd ed. 2022)
The definitive modern American beer reference. 700 pages covering every major style, country, tradition, and technique. Clear, comprehensive, beautifully illustrated. Any American beer drinker should own it.
Ambitious Brew: The Story of American Beer
Maureen Ogle · 2006
A richly researched history of American beer from colonial times through the craft revolution. Ogle is an academic historian; the book is accessible and compelling. Essential context for serious American beer enthusiasts.
Tasting Beer
Randy Mosher · 2017 (2nd ed.)
The best book on actively tasting and evaluating beer. Covers styles, glassware, pairings, flavor science. For drinkers who want to turn appreciation into skilled understanding.
PAIR IT WITH
A great American burger — medium-rare, with cheese and bacon, on a brioche bun. The ultimate beer-pairing sandwich.
New York-style pizza + American IPA = one of the great American food-and-beverage pairings.
American music for beer — Willie Nelson, George Strait, the Avett Brothers, Tom Petty. Country, folk, classic rock.
‘Beer Wars’ (2009) documentary. ‘The World’s End’ (2013) — Simon Pegg’s pub-crawl movie. Beer-themed cinema at its best.
Cheers, America!
Tag us @celebrationnation with #NationalBeerDay. Show us your local brewery, your favorite craft IPA, your grandfather’s favorite lager. Drink responsibly; toast freely.
How to celebrate
Raise a glass:
- 🍺 Visit a local craft brewery. Every American city now has multiple. Taste local, drink local, support the local brewing economy.
- 🏛️ Take a brewery tour. Samuel Adams (Boston), Sierra Nevada (Chico CA), Dogfish Head (Milton DE), Yuengling (Pottsville PA) — historic American breweries all offer tours.
- 🍻 Host a beer tasting. 4-6 different styles, small pours, side-by-side comparison. Learn to distinguish lager from ale, IPA from stout, Belgian from German.
- 📚 Read 'The Beer Bible' by Jeff Alworth. The definitive modern American beer reference — comprehensive, clear, beautifully written.
- 🎬 Watch 'Beer Wars' (2009). The documentary about America's craft beer revolution. Worth the 90 minutes.
Celebration ideas by audience
For families
Adult-only beverage — but a family brewery tour (without tasting) with good food is surprisingly family-friendly. Most breweries welcome kids in dining areas.
For kids
Not for kids. But 'root beer' history is fascinating — it began as a non-alcoholic alternative during Prohibition. A fun Americana lesson.
For couples
Brewery-hop date night. 3 local breweries, small pours at each, walk between them. One of the best date-nights in modern American cities.
At the office
Team outing to a local brewery. Low-stakes team building; most have private spaces for groups.
At school
Obviously not for students — but beer history is a legitimate adult-education topic. Prohibition, brewing science, the German immigrant influence on American brewing.
In your community
Support local craft breweries. Many are small businesses with thin margins; community patronage matters.
On your own
A quality beer + a good book + a quiet evening. One of the greatest American solo-evening pleasures.
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