5 Ways to Celebrate National Beer Day

Franklin Delano Roosevelt had his priorities straight. Shortly after taking office in 1933, FDR signed the Cullen-Harrison Act, legalizing the sale and consumption of low-alcohol beer and taking the first steps toward repealing Prohibition. As he famously remarked upon signing, “I think this would be a good time for a beer.”

We couldn’t agree more! Salute the day the law went into effect by celebrating National Beer Day on April 7. Here are five great ways to kick back and toast to the occasion.

Step back in time

Who says learning isn’t fun? Tucked inside Savannah’s City Market, the American Prohibition Museum is a small but lively spot dedicated to one of the oddest chapters in American history. From the Temperance Movement to Repeal Day, the museum covers an array of Prohibition-related topics, including moonshine, flapper culture and Al Capone. Be sure to stop by Congress Street Up, a speakeasy inside the museum that serves up authentic 1920s cocktails.

Try all the samples

Sure, a beer on National Beer Day is good. But what about being able to try 500 craft beers? Since 2010, Las Vegas has hosted the Great Vegas Festival of Beer to celebrate National Beer Day. Here you can taste hundreds of beers from some of the best craft breweries both local and far-flung. The popular festival also features educational sessions, food trucks and a karaoke lounge. With its location in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, you’ll find plenty more ways to celebrate once the festival ends.

Follow the trail

The Sunshine State sees California’s wine country and raises it one with the St. Pete/Clearwater Craft Beer Trail. This impressive trail spans more than 30 breweries within an hour’s drive along the Gulp—er—Gulf Coast, including the celebrated 7venth Sun Brewing in Dunedin and Cycle Brewing in St. Petersburg. Hit a couple, or grab a Gulp Coast Craft Brewery Passport and dream big: If you collect a stamp from every brewery, you’ll earn a prize.

Celebrate all month long

North Carolina is a beer lover’s paradise. The state has it all, from the dozens of small taprooms in and around Asheville to the large East Coast outposts of Sierra Nevada and New Belgium. One of the best times to visit is when you can celebrate beer for 30 glorious days during North Carolina Beer Month. Organized by the state’s tourism board, every April sees beer-themed events, tastings and travel deals all across the state.

Tour a brewery

There are plenty of brewery tours you could take on National Beer Day. But you’ll be hard-pressed to find a craft brewery with more history than Anchor Brewing. Founded in 1896, it is America’s oldest craft brewery, which rose to national prominence when entrepreneur Fritz Maytag took over in the 1960s. With a new focus on quality, Maytag turned the struggling brewery around and helped spark a craft beer revolution that would sweep the country. Pro tip: Be sure to book your 90-minute tour in advance—they fill up fast!

Ready to celebrate? Find a nearby hotel and start planning your trip!.