New Beer’s Eve

From Roaring Twenties to Dry Years 🚱

The Roaring Twenties, an era of jazz, flappers and economic prosperity, was abruptly halted in the USA by the implementation of Prohibition in 1920.  No more sips of freedom, the clinking of glasses went silent and beer became a clandestine affair.
This controversial act aimed to curb rampant alcoholism and associated social problems, but instead, it spawned a thriving underground network of bootleggers and speakeasies and a rise in homebrewing.
Until the Cullen–Harrison Act hit the scene on April 7th, 1933. Bars and breweries prepared for the onslaught of thirsty patrons and people lined up eagerly, ready to quench their thirst with legal beer for the first time in 13 years. Barrels rolled and the taps were unchained.
The moment the clock struck midnight on April 7th, 1933, the floodgates opened, cheers erupted and glasses were clinked in celebration!

Pour Decisions Turned Celebration: The Origins of New Beer’s Eve 📜

In 2009, Justin Smith, bemused by the notion of a nation denied the simple pleasure of a cold beer, decided to create New Beer’s Eve to commemorate this literally spirited day in 1933 when the Cullen–Harrison Act, one of the laws that ended Prohibition, was put into action.
In 2017, the sudsy celebration gained official recognition when the governor’s proclamation declared New Beer’s Eve an official holiday.
So now we celebrate New Beer’s Eve each year on the night of April 6 to April 7 when the clock strikes Hoppy Hour! 

How to Celebrate New Beer’s Eve With Suds and Sass! 🍻

How does one properly pay homage to the liquid luminary that is beer on New Beer’s Eve?
Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Ale Trail Adventure:
  Create your own ale trail by visiting different pubs or bars in your city for an extended hoppy hour. Try the latest brews and rate each beer.
• Brewery Pilgrimage:
  Visit your local brewery and take a tour to learn about the brewing process. Many breweries offer tastings as well.
• Host a New Beers Eve Party:
  Invite your friends over and have everyone bring their favorite beers. You can taste and compare different types of beer and have a great time. 
• Beer & Bites Banquet:
  Craft a feast with beer-infused dishes that elevate your culinary journey to hoppy heights. Whether it’s pretzels, cheese, or a beer-infused dish.
• Beer & Cheese Soiree:
  Indulge in a beer and cheese pairing soirée. Elevate your taste buds with the perfect union of hops and fromage.
• Speakeasy Soiree:
  Travel back in time and throw a Prohibition-themed costume party. Flapper dresses, pinstripe suits and fedoras, with a splash of beer-themed flair, naturally. 
• Brew Your Own: Homebrew
  If you’re feeling adventurous, try brewing your own beer. There are many kits available that make it easy to get started.
• Hoppy Astronomical Viewing:
  Combine your love for beer and stargazing, turning your celebration into a hoppy cosmic voyage.
• Virtual Cheers:
  Share your New Beer’s Eve celebrations on social media with the hashtags #NewBeersEve. Capture the essence of your celebration with brewtiful photos.

TL;DR – Toasts, Laughter; Drink, Remember! 🥳

Thanks for sipping through this frothy journey with me! It’s time to raise a glass to the brewers, tavern owners and drinking mates who persevered through those dry years, ensuring that the spirit of beer remained alive. 

So, if anyone questions your sudsy celebration, just say Wild Calendar gave you permission to do so and invite them to join the fun!

🍻 Cheers to freedom, froth and the fizzy wonders of legal libations! 🍺