Really interesting article in the libertarian magazine Reason about the rise, fall, and triumphant resurgence of homebrewing in America. Many may not realize, but throughout much of our nation’s early history homebrewing was as common to folks as farming. George Washington did it, as did Thomas Jefferson.
According to the story, by 1872 there were 3,421 commercial breweries in America, or roughly 17 times as many per capita as there are now. I find that fascinating. Thanks to Prohibition, the industry largely went away, or at least incognito, until President Carter in 1978 signed the bill that decriminalized the practice of homebrewing, paving the way for a burgeoning U.S. craft beer industry thanks to folks like Sierra Nevada and Boston Beer Company.
Maybe that’s why beer and peanuts go so well together.
February 25, 2009 at 8:15 am
And his brother gave us Billy Beer. Man, I need to get a hold of a can of that for review!
February 25, 2009 at 8:17 am
http://cgi.ebay.com/Billy-Beer-Six-Pack-Collectible-Intact-and-Full_W0QQitemZ190287995264QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item190287995264&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50
February 25, 2009 at 10:09 am
I can’t even imagine what that stuff would taste like now.
February 25, 2009 at 10:11 am
I doubt it’s potable.