Today is National Beer Day. On April 7th, 1933 the Cullen-Harrison Act, that was signed by Franklin Roosevelt in March, legalized the buying, selling and drinking of beer, as long as it was under 4% ABV. This was the first step in ending 13 years of prohibition in the United States. It was still no longer legal to buy spirits, but the US government started the legalization of alcohol with, rightfully so, beer. On April 7th it is said 1.5 million barrels of beer were consumed.

Prohibition didn’t fully end until December 1933 when the 21st Amendment was ratified by Congress. Want to learn some interesting facts about Prohibition you probably didn’t know? Head here.

Tonight after work, head out on the Tap Trail and raise a pint to those who couldn’t drink beer for 13 years.

Take a look at these historic images below and get to know where those Budweiser Clydesdales came from.

 


The Budweiser Clydesdales made their first appearance on April 7, 1933 as a gift from the Busch sons to their father to mark the end of Prohibition. (Anheuser-Busch)

 

Crowds jam a downtown Chicago bar as word came from Utah that prohibition has been repealed, Dec. 12, 1933. Before the scramble for a legal drink, the crowd tossed a few hats in the air and let loose a round of cheers. (AP Photo)

 

A crowd gathers as kegs of beer are unloaded in front of a restaurant on Broadway in New York City, the morning of April 7, 1933, when low-alcohol beer is legalized again. (AP Photo)

To learn more about Prohibition here’s a brief, 3min documentary