National Beer Day is celebrated every April 7, and it honors one of the more festive moments in American legal history: the day beer became legal again as Prohibition began to unwind. It is a fixed-date observance, so it lands on April 7 no matter the day of the week.
When is National Beer Day?
National Beer Day falls on April 7 each year, including April 7, 2026 and April 7, 2027. The evening before, April 6, is often called “New Beer’s Eve,” a nod to the crowds who lined up outside breweries and taverns in 1933 waiting for the clock to make beer legal.
History and origin of National Beer Day
The date commemorates April 7, 1933, the day the Cullen-Harrison Act took effect. President Franklin D. Roosevelt had signed the act on March 22, 1933, and it allowed the sale of beer and wine with low alcohol content, an early step toward the full repeal of Prohibition later that year. Americans marked the moment by buying beer in large quantities the instant it became legal.
The modern celebration is much newer. It was popularized in 2009 by Justin Smith of Richmond, Virginia, who created a Facebook page for the day, working with his friend Mike Connolly of Liverpool, England. The idea spread through social media and craft-beer communities, and it has since been recognized on holiday calendars and by some state and local officials.
Why National Beer Day matters
National Beer Day is partly a toast to a beloved beverage and partly a small history lesson. Prohibition reshaped American life, drove alcohol production underground, and cost jobs across brewing, farming, and hospitality. The return of legal beer helped revive those industries during the Great Depression. Today the day also spotlights the craft-beer movement, which has turned brewing into a vibrant small-business scene across the country.
How to celebrate National Beer Day
- Visit a local brewery or taproom and try something made near you.
- Toast responsibly with friends and a favorite style, from lager to stout to IPA.
- Sample a beer style you have never tried before to broaden your palate.
- Learn a bit of Prohibition history to appreciate why the date matters.
- Pair beers with food at a small tasting at home.
- Support a local craft brewer by buying a growler or a mixed pack.
- Share your pour on social media with #NationalBeerDay.
New Beer’s Eve and how the day spread
The evening of April 6 has its own nickname, New Beer’s Eve, and it captures the excitement of 1933. As the clock approached the moment beer became legal, people gathered outside breweries and taverns to buy the first legal beer in more than a decade. Reports from the time describe long lines and breweries struggling to keep up with demand. That sense of celebration is exactly what the modern National Beer Day tries to revive each April 7.
The craft beer connection
National Beer Day has taken on new meaning during the craft-beer boom of the last two decades. Thousands of independent breweries now operate across the United States, turning brewing into a vibrant small-business scene and a point of local pride. For many fans, the day is less about mass-market lagers and more about discovering a neighborhood taproom, a seasonal release, or a style they have never tried. Because it commemorates the return of a legal, regulated beer industry, the day pairs naturally with supporting the small brewers who define American beer today. Enjoying it responsibly, and never drinking and driving, keeps the celebration in the right spirit.
Related days and observances
Beer fans also note International Beer Day in August, Oktoberfest in the fall, and food-and-drink days such as National Drink Wine Day. New Beer’s Eve on April 6 is the direct lead-in to National Beer Day.
Fun facts
When beer became legal on April 7, 1933, breweries reportedly could not keep up with demand, and long lines formed the night before. The Cullen-Harrison Act initially permitted beer of relatively low alcohol strength, with full repeal of Prohibition arriving with the Twenty-first Amendment in December 1933.
Whether you mark the day with a local craft pour, a history lesson about Prohibition, or a simple toast among friends, National Beer Day works best when it is enjoyed thoughtfully and in moderation. It is a reminder that a beverage many people take for granted was once banned outright, and that the freedom to raise a glass came back on a specific date worth remembering. Plan a designated driver or a safe way home, and let April 7 be a relaxed, responsible celebration of both the drink and the history behind it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Beer Day?
It is a fixed observance on April 7 every year.
Why is April 7 National Beer Day?
On April 7, 1933, the Cullen-Harrison Act took effect, letting Americans legally buy and drink low-alcohol beer again after Prohibition.
Who started National Beer Day?
The modern observance was popularized in 2009 by Justin Smith of Richmond, Virginia, along with his friend Mike Connolly.
What is New Beer's Eve?
April 6, the evening before National Beer Day, when people lined up in 1933 to buy beer at the stroke of legality.
Is National Beer Day a public holiday?
No. It is an informal celebration and not a federal or public holiday.
What is the hashtag for National Beer Day?
The most common tag is #NationalBeerDay.