National Beer Day 2026
food drinkWednesday, April 7, 2027
204 days from today · next occurrence
About National Beer Day
National Beer Day lands every year on April 7 and marks a toast to legal beer in the United States. The date commemorates April 7, 1933, when the Cullen-Harrison Act took effect and Americans could once again buy low-alcohol beer after thirteen dry years of Prohibition. People waited in lines outside breweries the night before, and the first legal deliveries were greeted with genuine celebration.
Today the day is less about history and more about appreciation. Beer is one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in America, and its range is enormous: crisp lagers, hazy IPAs, velvety stouts, tart sours, and Belgian-style ales all occupy the same shelf. Craft breweries number in the thousands, and taprooms have become neighborhood gathering spots.
You do not need to be a connoisseur to participate. Crack open a favorite, visit a local brewery, or split a flight with friends and compare notes. Just remember to enjoy it responsibly and arrange a safe ride home.
When is National Beer Day?
| Year | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | April 7, 2026 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | April 7, 2027 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | April 7, 2028 | Friday |
| 2029 | April 7, 2029 | Saturday |
| 2030 | April 7, 2030 | Sunday |
History of National Beer Day
The Cullen-Harrison Act, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in March 1933, redefined intoxicating beverages so that beer with up to 3.2 percent alcohol could be sold legally, a pragmatic first step toward the full repeal of Prohibition in December of that year. Brewery workers returned to their jobs, and April 7 became a day of national relief. Modern fans dubbed it National Beer Day, with April 6 earning the nickname New Beer's Eve. The observance has grown through social media, hashtags, and brewery events, and it now sits comfortably among America's favorite unofficial food-and-drink holidays, celebrating not just the drink but the brewers, farmers, and taproom staff behind every pint.
How to Celebrate National Beer Day
- Visit a local brewery or taproom and order something brewed within a hundred miles.
- Try a style you usually skip, whether that is a pilsner, a porter, or a sour.
- Learn how beer is made, from malted grain and hops to yeast and water.
- Pair a favorite beer with dinner and notice how the flavors change each other.
- Arrange a safe ride in advance if your celebration includes more than one round.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is National Beer Day?
- It falls every year on April 7, the anniversary of the day legal beer returned to the United States in 1933.
- Is National Beer Day a public holiday?
- No. National Beer Day is an unofficial observance, not a public holiday. Bars, breweries, and restaurants may run specials, but banks, schools, and government offices operate as usual.
- How do people celebrate National Beer Day?
- Many people celebrate with a visit to a brewery, a tasting flight with friends, or a simple toast at home. Breweries often release special batches, and beer lovers share their picks online.
- Why is National Beer Day on April 7?
- The Cullen-Harrison Act took effect on April 7, 1933, legalizing low-alcohol beer and effectively ending Prohibition's beer ban eight months before full repeal.