Celebrating Beer: National Beer Drinking Day And Its History

National Drink Beer Day is celebrated annually on September 28. The purpose of this unofficial holiday is to drink your favourite beer with friends and family. It is not to be confused with National Beer Day, which falls on April 7. National Drink Beer Day is a great opportunity to enjoy quality time with friends while sampling different beers of various styles.

History of National Drink Beer Day

National Beer Day is celebrated in the United States on 7 April each year. The day marks the anniversary of the Cullen–Harrison Act, which came into force on 7 April 1933, after being signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on 22 March 1933. The Act amended the Eighteenth Amendment, which had prohibited "intoxicating liquors" (defined as any beverage containing more than 0.5% alcohol), by raising the threshold to allow the production and consumption of beer containing up to 3.2% alcohol by weight (or 4.05% by volume).

Upon signing the Act, Roosevelt famously remarked, "I think this would be a good time for a beer." The law went into effect on 7 April 1933, in states that had enacted their own law allowing such sales. People across the country celebrated by gathering outside breweries, some beginning the night before on what became known as New Beer's Eve. On that first day, 1.5 million barrels of beer were consumed, inspiring the future holiday.

National Beer Day was first celebrated in 2009 by Justin Smith, a craft beer examiner from Richmond, Virginia, and his friend Mike Connolly from Liverpool, England. They created a Facebook page to promote the day, which was noticed by Colorado Beer Examiner Eli Shayotovich. Smith's promotion of the day via social media outlets led to the creation of a badge on the beer-drinking app Untappd, which rewarded participants who checked a beer into the app on 7 April. National Beer Day has since been trending on social media every year using the hashtag #NationalBeerDay.

How to celebrate

National Drink Beer Day is celebrated annually on September 28. It is a day to appreciate beer, an alcoholic drink made from malted barley or wheat, hops, yeast, and water. Here are some ways to celebrate this special day:

Sample a New Beer

With the wide variety of beers available, National Drink Beer Day is the perfect opportunity to try something new. Whether it's a local craft brew or an internationally renowned ale, step out of your comfort zone and explore the diverse world of beer. Why not try a Helles German Beer, a Japanese Rice Lager, a Cream Ale, or a Belgium Witbier?

Gather with Friends and Family

Beer is best enjoyed in good company, so gather your friends and family, as long as they are of legal drinking age, and share a drink together. Visit a local pub or bar, or simply crack open a beer at home and spend some quality time with your loved ones.

Attend a Beer Festival or Event

September often marks the end of summer and the beginning of the school year, making it a great time to attend local festivals and events. Search for beer festivals or beer-tasting events in your area and join in on the celebrations. It's a fantastic way to discover new beers and support local brewers.

Visit a Brewery

Take a day trip to a nearby brewery and learn about the art of brewing. Most breweries offer tours and guided tastings, allowing you to explore the beer-making process and sample their unique creations.

Host a Beer Tasting

If you can't make it to a brewery, bring the brewery to you! Invite your friends over for a beer tasting evening. Purchase a variety of beers from around the world, provide some snacks, and turn it into a fun and educational experience.

Remember, always drink responsibly, and never drink and drive. Cheers!

Beer's global history

Beer is one of the oldest human-produced alcoholic drinks, possibly dating back to 9500 BC when cereal was first farmed. It is recorded in the written history of ancient Iraq, ancient Egypt, and ancient China.

Ancient History

Beer was recorded in the written history of ancient Iraq (Mesopotamia) and ancient Egypt. A 3,900-year-old Sumerian poem honouring Ninkasi, the patron goddess of brewing, contains the oldest surviving beer recipe, describing the production of beer from barley bread. In ancient Mesopotamia, clay tablets indicate that brewing was a fairly well-respected occupation, and most brewers were probably women.

The earliest archaeological evidence of fermentation was found in the Raqefet Cave in the Carmel Mountains near Haifa in northern Israel. These 13,000-year-old residues were of a beer with the consistency of gruel, used for ritual feasting. There is also evidence that beer was produced at Göbekli Tepe during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic (around 8500 BC to 5500 BC).

In ancient China, pottery residue from around 5,000 years ago shows that beer was brewed using barley and other grains. Chinese villagers were also brewing fermented alcoholic drinks as far back as 7000 BCE on a small, individual scale, using production processes and methods similar to those of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Beer in the Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages, beer was consumed daily by all social classes in the northern and eastern parts of Europe, where grape cultivation was difficult or impossible. Brewing was considered a common household task, orchestrated by women. Beer was also popular among the lower classes in the south, where wine was the most common drink.

The use of hops in beer was first written about in 822 by the Carolingian Abbot Adalard of Corbie. However, hops were only gradually adopted due to difficulties in establishing the right proportions, and gruit, a mix of various herbs, was used instead. By the 13th century, German towns had pioneered a new scale of operation with standardised barrel sizes that allowed for large-scale export. This type of production spread to Holland in the 14th century and later to Flanders, Brabant, and England.

Beer in the Modern Era

During the Industrial Revolution, the production of beer moved from artisanal manufacture to industrial manufacture, and domestic manufacture became insignificant by the end of the 19th century. The development of hydrometers and thermometers gave brewers more control over the brewing process and greater knowledge of the results.

In 1516, William IV, Duke of Bavaria, adopted the Reinheitsgebot (purity law), which restricted the ingredients of beer to water, hops, and barley malt. This law, which may be the oldest food regulation still in use, was applied throughout Germany in 1871.

Today, the brewing industry is a global business, consisting of several multinational companies and thousands of smaller producers ranging from brewpubs to regional breweries. Beer is the world's most widely consumed alcoholic beverage and the third most popular drink overall, after water and tea.

Beer-inspired films and shows

National Beer Day is celebrated on April 7 in the United States, marking the day the Cullen–Harrison Act came into force, allowing people to brew and sell beer as long as it remained below 4% ABV.

Beer and breweries often appear in films as a source of comic relief, but they can also play a more central role in developing plotlines and relationships. Here are some films and shows inspired by beer:

• Strange Brew (1983): A goofy yet tender comedy about two deadbeat brothers, Doug and Bob McKenzie, who try to defraud a brewery to get free beer. However, they soon uncover a sinister plot to brainwash humanity through tainted pints.
• Shaun of the Dead (2004): A zombie comedy that highlights the overwhelming desire for a proper pint at the pub with friends when life descends into chaos.
• The World's End: Stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, similar to Shaun of the Dead, but swaps zombies for aliens. This film revolves around an epic pub crawl and finding one's purpose in life.
• Beerfest: A comedy centred around a secret global beer-drinking competition, with a hydrology lesson involving a drinking boot.
• Shawshank Redemption (1994): Although not primarily about beer, this film showcases how a cold pint after a long, hard day can bring a sense of normalcy, freedom, and levity to harshness and chaos.
• Smokey and the Bandit (1977): A star-studded comedy where the heroes smuggle hundreds of cases of Coors beer over state lines, inspiring countless real-life beer runs.
• Beer League (2006): A film centred more on beer advertising than actual beer, featuring David Alan Grier and Rip Torn.
• Take This Job and Shove It (1981): A film about a corporate dude returning to his hometown to reshape the local brewery, starring Barbara Hershey.
• Drinking Buddies (2013): A rom-com about friends who work at a brewery, starring Jake Johnson and Olivia Wilde.
• The Last JED.I.P.A: A limited-edition beer inspired by Star Wars, brewed by Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Company in Fresno, California.
• Imperial Stout Trooper: A popular beer by New England Brewing, named as a tribute to the "Star Wars" Imperial Stormtroopers.
• Pulp Fusion Blood Orange IPA: A summer beer by Boulder Beer Company, inspired by the film "Pulp Fiction".

Beer cocktails

National Beer Day is celebrated in the United States on April 7, marking the day the Cullen–Harrison Act came into force, allowing people to brew and sell beer as long as it remained below 4% alcohol by volume. However, another source mentions that National Drink Beer Day falls on September 28.

Michelada

The Michelada is a popular Mexican drink that adds a twist to your beer. It typically includes lime juice, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and an array of spices. You can use your favourite beer, but a Mexican lager like Tecate or Modelo Especial is a perfect choice. For an extra kick, try the Mayan Michelada, which includes a small pour of joven mezcal.

Margarita with a Twist

Take your traditional margarita up a notch by topping it with a Mexican lager. Combine tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice, give it a good shake, and then add Modelo Especial for the ultimate summer drink.

Rye House Spring Beer Cocktail

This seasonal cocktail is a unique blend of genever, applejack, loganberry liqueur, lime juice, and ginger syrup, topped with a crisp lager beer. It's an unexpected combination that's perfect for welcoming warmer weather.

Grapefruit Cooler

This cocktail is a refreshing take on the Mexican Paloma. It combines tequila and Stiegl radler, balanced with fresh grapefruit and lime juices. It's a tall, cool, and slightly stronger version of the classic.

Beer Margarita

Also known as a Beerita, this cocktail combines tequila, triple sec, lime, and lager. It's a fun and flavourful twist on the traditional margarita, perfect for those who enjoy a good beer.

Boozy Shandy

The Boozy Shandy is a fun and refreshing cocktail that combines beer, lemon or lime soda, and your choice of liquor. It's a great way to add a kick to your typical shandy.

Black Velvet

For a touch of elegance, try the Black Velvet, a sophisticated blend of stout and sparkling wine. It's a simple yet effective way to elevate your beer experience.

Beer on the Rocks

An unusual but intriguing combination, Beer on the Rocks involves pairing your beer with Byrrh, an English bitter. It's a unique way to enjoy your beer chilled.

Here Comes the Sun

This cocktail is a delightful fusion of rye whiskey, ginger, lemon, and a splash of wheat beer. The wheat beer ties the citrus and spice elements together, resulting in a refreshing and flavourful cocktail.

These beer cocktails offer a creative twist to the traditional beer-drinking experience, adding a whole new dimension to your favourite brew.

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