How to Celebrate National Beer Day in 2018

By Lee Heidel Published April 6, 2018

Beer Alternatives to Champagne — izusek/Getty Images Image used with permission by copyright holder

Yes, there are a lot of holidays. And some of those days are definitely more holy than others. But when it comes to made up, contrived holidays, you can’t be mad at National Beer Day.

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National Beer Day falls on April 7 every year, commemorating the date in 1933 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Cullen–Harrison Act. That piece of legislation began the rollback of Prohibition and allowed people to buy, sell, and drink beer. According to CraftBeer.com, there are now more than 6,000 breweries operating in the United States. With so many options, we’re presenting a quick guide on how to celebrate our favorite (if fake) holiday.

Revisit an Old Favorite

For many craft beer fans, the quest to try new brews ends up replacing the satisfaction that comes from revisiting an all-time favorite. For this year’s National Beer Day, consider drinking a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, a Dogfish Head 60 Minute, an Abita Purple Haze, or whichever beer you consider your gateway beer – that first craft brew that opened the door to a wider world of beer tastes and experiences.

Toast to Dad

Take a stroll down memory lane and grab a six-pack of the legacy lager that your old man used to drink. Beer is closely intertwined with our history and heritage, and while Miller Genuine Draft and Old Style don’t necessarily have the same cachet as The Alchemist’s Heady Topper, pour one out for dear old dad and celebrate the drink that you both can enjoy.

Take a Chance on a New Style

Conversely, as beer lovers we can also occasionally get ourselves stuck in a rut, pouring from the same style classification over and over again. If you’re a dedicated fan of easy-drinking wheat beers, grab a burly barre- aged stout. If you’ve never tried a gose, hedge your bets and pick one up as a part of a mixed six-pack. Get out of your comfort zone and treat yourself to a new adventure.

Visit Your Local Brewery

Neighborhood breweries create more than just jobs. They create communities. This April 7, stop in your local brew house and take a tour. Meet the brewers and tap room staff. Buy a T-shirt and order a flight. Raise your glass and toast to your health, to new friends and to the glory of National Beer Day.

Topics

Liquor, Beer, Wine & Drinks

Lee Heidel is the managing editor of Brew/Drink/Run, a website and podcast that promotes brewing your own beer, consuming the…

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A quick note before we get started: It's easy to open beer bottles using rings, but the potential for damaging your ring or your metacarpal is very high, so we've left that one out.
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At the very least, a hobby should be enjoyable -- something fun you like to do when you have free time. But, hobbies are usually even more gratifying when they’re productive. From cooking to quilting, candle making to gardening, if your hobby yields a product you can use, the activity can be especially motivating. Making your own beer at home, or delving into the world of home brewing, is a surprisingly approachable hobby and one you can get really good at with a little practice and tinkering.
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Basics of making beer at home
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