16 Years of Raising a Glass to American History
By Justin Smith, National Beer Day Founder
It’s hard to believe that 15 years have passed since the first National Beer Day was celebrated. What started in 2009 as a simple idea between friends has grown into a nationally recognized celebration of history, liberty and American craftsmanship. Each year on April 7, we raise a glass not only to beer, but to the freedom to enjoy it.
National Beer Day commemorates a turning point in American history. On April 7, 1933, the Cullen-Harrison Act went into effect after being signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. For the first time in 13 years, Americans were legally permitted to purchase, sell, and enjoy beer – provided it contained no more than 3.2% alcohol by weight. This was a crucial first step toward the full repeal of Prohibition, which would come later that year with the ratification of the 21st Amendment.
Unlike other so-called “beer holidays,” National Beer Day is firmly rooted in real historical significance. It’s a celebration of the moment the government returned a basic liberty to the American people, one that had been unjustly taken during the Prohibition era. While we certainly enjoy beer the other 364 days of the year, April 7 is a day to remember why we can enjoy beer.
When I began this journey, I had no idea it would resonate so strongly across the country. What started as a small Facebook group has grown into an annual tradition marked by breweries, restaurants and beer enthusiasts from coast to coast. I was especially honored in 2017 when the Commonwealth of Virginia formally recognized National Beer Day with a proclamation from Governor Terry McAuliffe and later, unanimous support from the Virginia General Assembly. The day is now officially observed in Virginia each year on April 7.
It’s humbling to see the movement we began gain such momentum and institutional support. Even the U.S. House of Representatives took note, when Congressman Dave Brat entered National Beer Day into the Congressional Record, acknowledging its economic and cultural importance.
But National Beer Day is not just about proclamations and recognition. It’s about peopl, those who gather to share a beer, support local breweries, and reflect on the uniquely American story of how this simple beverage became a symbol of restored freedoms.
So this April 7, take a moment to celebrate not just the beer in your glass, but the legacy behind it. To everyone who has supported this tradition over the years º thank you. Here’s to history. Here’s to liberty. And here’s to beer. Follow Justin on X @GodfatherofNBD and on Facebook.
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