Beer: The First Legal Libation

Can you imagine living in a time when adults were not allowed to put their lips to a refreshing adult beverage? Me neither. Which is why I am requesting that whatever you're doing on Saturday, April 7, take a moment to raise a pint to the repeal of the prohibition -- for beer.

It was on that date in 1933 that newly elected President Franklin D. Roosevelt urged Congress to modify the Volstead Act, allowing for legal consumption of one -- and only one -- libation for the first time in 13 years. That beverage was beer. And it was eight months, on Dec. 5 of the same year to be exact, before Americans could legally put their lips to wine or spirits.

Now, 74 years later, craft brewers -- independent artisans who create small-batch beers -- will be celebrating that first step in the repeal of prohibition, dubbing it Brew Years Eve, all across the country. And they want you to join in the fun.

"This is a chance to say that enjoying beer is a legal privilege. On April 7, America's communities of craft brewers plan to celebrate this and the history of beer in our culture," said Julia Herz, spokeswoman for the Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade association for America's small brewers. "Brew Years Eve celebrates a time when beer was the lone legal libation."

Craft brewers have a lot to celebrate lately. Sales of their goods are at an all-time high, with a nearly 12 percent increase in craft beer sales in 2006 -- the third straight year of double-digit growth.

It shouldn't be too difficult to find a Brew Years Eve celebration. According to the Brewers Association, almost every adult in America lives within 10 miles of a brewpub or craft brewery.

So raise a pint of the local brew and to the first legal libation to herald in the repeal of Prohibition on the first Saturday in April.

Need help finding a nearby Brew Year's Eve celebration? Check out BrewYearsEve.com for inspiration.

Liquid Solutions columnist Lisa Morrison is a recipient of the National Beer Journalism Awards. You can contact her at lisa@ibsys.com.