--- title: A Brief History of American Beer description: The history of American beer goes back further than you may think. Learn more about how beer has changed the country and where it's headed in the future. image: https://blog.highsabatino.com/hubfs/Copy%20of%20High%20Sabatino%20%20A%20Brief%20History%20of%20American%20Beer.png --- ## ![](https://blog.highsabatino.com/hubfs/High_Sabatino_Sep_2015_Theme_Images/HighSab_HP_TopHeader_icons_phone.png) [800.367.4742](tel:800-367-4742) ![](https://blog.highsabatino.com/hubfs/High_Sabatino_Sep_2015_Theme_Images/HighSab_HP_TopHeader_icons_email.png)[**laurie@highsabatino.com**](mailto:laurie@highsabatino.com?) - [![](https://blog.highsabatino.com/hubfs/High_Sabatino_Sep_2015_Theme_Images/facebook.png)](http://www.facebook.com/highsabatino) - [![](https://blog.highsabatino.com/hubfs/High_Sabatino_Sep_2015_Theme_Images/twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/HighSabatino) - [![](https://blog.highsabatino.com/hubfs/High_Sabatino_Sep_2015_Theme_Images/linkedin.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/high-sabatino-associates?report%2Esuccess=KJ_KkFGTDCfMt-A7wV3Fn9Yvgwr02Kd6AZHGx4bQCDiP6-2rfP2oxyVoEQiPrcAQ7Bf) - [![](https://highsabatino.com/wp-content/themes/trinity/images/social/youtube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLlb39IX8PivyQO-KW0_GNA) [![highsabatino](https://blog.highsabatino.com/hs-fs/hubfs/High_Sabatino_Sep_2015_Theme_Images/high_sabatino_Horizontal_Logo-1024x211.png?width=637&height=131&name=high_sabatino_Horizontal_Logo-1024x211.png "highsabatino")](http://highsabatino.com/) - [About](https://highsabatino.com/company-profile/) - [Affiliates](https://highsabatino.com/affiliates/) - [Facilities](https://highsabatino.com/facilities/) - [Manufacturers](https://highsabatino.com/manufacturers/) - [Events](https://highsabatino.com/events/) - [Rational Live - iCombi Live](https://www.rational-online.com/en_us/experience/rational-live/icombi-live/?countryCode=US&countryName=&zipKey=20794) - [Blog](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog) - [Resources](https://highsabatino.com/resources/) - [Service Request](https://highsabatino.com/service/) - [Digital Price Lists](https://highsabatino.com/resources/#pricelists) - [Contact Us](https://highsabatino.com/contact-us/) # A Brief History of American Beer ![bg-header.jpg](https://blog.highsabatino.com/hs-fs/hubfs/High_Sabatino_Sep_2015_Theme_Images/bg-header.jpg?width=2100&name=bg-header.jpg "bg-header.jpg") ![High Sabatino - A Brief History of American Beer](https://blog.highsabatino.com/hs-fs/hubfs/High%20Sabatino%20-%20A%20Brief%20History%20of%20American%20Beer.png?width=1280&height=820&name=High%20Sabatino%20-%20A%20Brief%20History%20of%20American%20Beer.png "High Sabatino - A Brief History of American Beer") [High Sabatino Associates](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/author/high-sabatino-associates) Jul 20, 2021 [Canadian Beverage Supply](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/topic/canadian-beverage-supply) [0 Comments](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/history-american-beer#comments-listing) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Did you know the Native Americans were brewing beer long before the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth? With corn and rice as ingredients, the beer was light, as low as 1ABV. Yeah, back then, even a 1% ABV was a great beer. However, from the 19th-century immigration to the 1920 prohibition to today's microbreweries, American beer has evolved, and a lot has changed. So, grab a cold one and let's share with you the rich history of America's most popular alcoholic drink. ### Commercial Brewing Begins (1612) In 1612, two explorers, Hans Christiansen and Adrian Brook, revolutionized the beer industry by building the first brewery in the New World in Manhattan, New York. By 1810, about 200 years later, beer consumption is still relatively low, with barely 132 breweries operating. That's approximately less than a gallon per year per capita sale of commercially–produced beer. ### German Lager Arrived and Changed How We Drink (1848) Many Germans begin arriving in America by 1848, escaping the war in their homeland. And with them comes the all-malt lagers. Its consumption starts spreading across America as many abandon the lighter beers. Due to continuing immigration, urbanization, technological advancement, increasing income, and other societal factors, beer consumption tremendously increased in America. German lager began outpacing British-style beer, becoming the most popular American beer by 1873. About 4,131 breweries were operating, equivalent to over 3000% increase from 1810. As beer consumption increased, there was a rise in large corporates run by German immigrants like Pabst Brewing Company, Miller Brewing Company, and Anheuser-Busch, resulting in a per capita consumption of over 20 gallons each year. However, the rise in corporate brewers killed most of the independent brewers, and just 1000 breweries remained in operation by the end of the century. ### Beer Prohibition and Its Impacts (1920-1950) In 1920, the 18th Amendment went into effect, eliminating legal sales of alcohol. The amendment prohibited the production, distribution, and consumption of any beverage with more than 0.5% alcohol content.  The prohibition lasted until April 7, 1933, when Congress passed the Cullen-Harrison Act, which legalized alcoholic products with up to 3.2% alcohol by volume. It was such a good day it was later declared National Beer Day. Even better, the ban on beer officially ended in December that year when the 21st Amendment took effect, canceling the 18th Amendment. In 1935, the American Can Company canned beer for the first time. Unlike the previously consumed draft beer, canned beer was cheap and easier to transport, letting the beer companies expand rapidly. By 1950, the number of breweries falls to 407 as big companies like Valentin-Blatz, Pabst, and Anheuser-Busch continue to dominate, outcompeting the smaller breweries. ### Craft Beer Revival (1965) In 1965, Fredrick Maytag III buys the collapsing San Francisco's Anchoring Brewing Company converting it into a profitable venture in a move many think of as the beginning of craft beer revival. In 1976, Jack McAuliffe launched the New Albion Brewing Company in California, considered the first modern craft beer company. Together with Maytag and others, they built a foundation for the modern-era locally produced beer. ### Home Brewing Beer Finally Legalized (1978) 1n 1978, President Jimmy Carter signs the H.R. 1337 Bill, legalizing home brewing of wine and beer for any adult. Note that home brewing over 0.5% ABV alcohol had remaineded illegal even after the 18th Amendment was lifted. The H.R. Bill, therefore, revolutionized modern homebrewing as we see it today. ### A Steady Rise in Breweries From the mid-1980s, the breweries numbers continued to grow, and by 2000, the U.S. was leading the world in breweries. By 2015, there were already 4141 breweries in the country, with 99% of them small, independent, and craft brewers. ### What's Next? It's been a long beer journey for America, and for those who make or appreciate good beer, we forever cherish the efforts made by our predecessors. What next? Of course, beer. What do you love about American beer? If you're interested in seeing our solutions for adding beer to your operation, check out this post on [Canadian Beverage Supply.](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/canadian-beverage-supply) ### A customized consultation may be the direct route you need to go. Click the image below and learn how you can get a top-shelf program, perfect for you. [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/736196/28e7f060-4516-4330-9e34-fb285639ff10.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/736196/28e7f060-4516-4330-9e34-fb285639ff10) Search this site on Google Enter The Keyword ### Recent Posts ### ARCHIVES - [November 2023 (7)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2023/11) - [January 2017 (5)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2017/01) - [June 2024 (5)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2024/06) - [December 2015 (4)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2015/12) - [December 2023 (4)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2023/12) - [November 2024 (4)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2024/11) - [May 2016 (3)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2016/05) - [July 2018 (3)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2018/07) - [August 2018 (3)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2018/08) - [March 2019 (3)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2019/03) - [June 2019 (3)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2019/06) - [July 2019 (3)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2019/07) - [September 2019 (3)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2019/09) - [March 2020 (3)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2020/03) - [April 2020 (3)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2020/04) - [March 2021 (3)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2021/03) - [May 2021 (3)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2021/05) - [September 2021 (3)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2021/09) - [October 2021 (3)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2021/10) - [November 2021 (3)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2021/11) - [June 2022 (3)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2022/06) - [August 2022 (3)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2022/08) - [March 2023 (3)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2023/03) - [June 2023 (3)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2023/06) - [January 2024 (3)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2024/01) - [March 2024 (3)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2024/03) - [September 2015 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2015/09) - [July 2016 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2016/07) - [December 2016 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2016/12) - [February 2017 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2017/02) - [April 2017 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2017/04) - [June 2017 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2017/06) - [July 2017 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2017/07) - [August 2017 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2017/08) - [October 2017 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2017/10) - [November 2017 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2017/11) - [January 2018 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2018/01) - [February 2018 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2018/02) - [June 2018 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2018/06) - [October 2018 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2018/10) - [December 2018 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2018/12) - [January 2019 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2019/01) - [December 2019 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2019/12) - [January 2020 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2020/01) - [February 2020 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2020/02) - [June 2020 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2020/06) - [July 2020 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2020/07) - [August 2020 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2020/08) - [September 2020 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2020/09) - [October 2020 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2020/10) - [December 2020 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2020/12) - [February 2021 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2021/02) - [April 2021 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2021/04) - [April 2022 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2022/04) - [October 2022 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2022/10) - [July 2023 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2023/07) - [April 2024 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2024/04) - [May 2024 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2024/05) - [July 2024 (2)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2024/07) - [April 2014 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2014/04) - [June 2014 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2014/06) - [July 2014 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2014/07) - [October 2014 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2014/10) - [April 2015 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2015/04) - [May 2015 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2015/05) - [November 2015 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2015/11) - [January 2016 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2016/01) - [March 2016 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2016/03) - [April 2016 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2016/04) - [June 2016 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2016/06) - [October 2016 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2016/10) - [November 2016 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2016/11) - [March 2017 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2017/03) - [May 2017 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2017/05) - [September 2017 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2017/09) - [March 2018 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2018/03) - [May 2018 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2018/05) - [September 2018 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2018/09) - [November 2018 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2018/11) - [February 2019 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2019/02) - [April 2019 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2019/04) - [May 2019 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2019/05) - [November 2019 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2019/11) - [May 2020 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2020/05) - [November 2020 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2020/11) - [June 2021 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2021/06) - [July 2021 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2021/07) - [December 2021 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2021/12) - [March 2022 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2022/03) - [July 2022 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2022/07) - [January 2023 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2023/01) - [April 2023 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2023/04) - [May 2023 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2023/05) - [September 2023 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2023/09) - [October 2023 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2023/10) - [February 2024 (1)](https://blog.highsabatino.com/blog/archive/2024/02) see all ### Contact Us ![TMC_High Sabatino Logo](https://blog.highsabatino.com/hubfs/High_Sabatino_Sep_2015_Theme_Images/2014_5_6-HS-logo-white-.png) **ADDRESS** 10545 Guilford Road Suite 101 Jessup, MD 20794 **NUMBERS** 301-470-7051 (office) 410-792-2207 (office2) 800-367-4742 (toll free) ### [Industry News](http://nrn.com/frontpage) [![](https://blog.highsabatino.com/hubfs/High_Sabatino_Sep_2015_Theme_Images/MAFSI_logo_White_0414.png)](https://www.mafsi.org/) Copyright ©2024 High Sabatino Associates ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=1227666&fmt=gif)