The Ultimate Guide to National Beer Day 2026

TL;DR — Everything at a Glance

What Details
Date Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Origin Cullen-Harrison Act, signed March 22, 1933
Key Fact 1.5 million barrels of beer were consumed on the very first National Beer Day
Trending in 2026 Premium Lagers & Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer
Top Hashtag #NationalBeerDay
Is it a Federal Holiday? No — but it’s widely celebrated across the U.S.

Friends clinking craft beer glasses at a taproom on National Beer Day 2026

What Is National Beer Day, and Why Does It Matter?

Every April 7, millions of Americans raise a glass to one of the oldest and most beloved beverages on earth. National Beer Day is more than just an excuse to crack open a cold one — it’s a celebration of history, culture, and the craft of brewing itself. Whether you’re a seasoned craft beer enthusiast hunting for the next perfect pint or someone who simply enjoys an ice-cold lager on a warm spring evening, this is your day.

National Beer Day marks a pivotal moment in American history: the day the country got its beer back. After thirteen dry years under Prohibition, a single piece of legislation changed everything. And in 2026, the celebration has never felt more relevant, more inclusive, or more exciting.

This guide will walk you through everything — the history behind the holiday, the best ways to celebrate in 2026, where to find deals and events, and the beer trends that are actually worth paying attention to this year.

When Is National Beer Day 2026?

National Beer Day falls on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. It lands on the same date every year, without exception. That date was chosen for a very specific reason: April 7, 1933, is when the Cullen-Harrison Act officially took effect, making it legal for Americans to buy beer for the first time in over a decade.

A quick note on similar holidays that often cause confusion: National Beer Day is a strictly American celebration, rooted in the repeal of Prohibition. It is not the same as International Beer Day, which is celebrated globally on the first Friday of every August. There’s also National Beer Lovers Day, observed on September 7. And if you want to get a head start on the festivities, the night before — April 6 — has unofficially become known as “New Beer’s Eve.”

The History Behind National Beer Day: From Prohibition to the First Pint

To truly appreciate National Beer Day, you need to understand just how significant April 7, 1933, actually was.

The Long, Dry Years

In 1920, the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution ushered in a nationwide ban on the production, sale, and transport of alcoholic beverages. The enforcement mechanism was the Volstead Act, which defined any drink containing more than 0.5% alcohol as “intoxicating.” Overnight, an entire industry disappeared. Breweries shuttered. Bars went dark. And for thirteen years, Americans lived without legal beer.

The Cullen-Harrison Act Changes Everything

By the early 1930s, public sentiment had turned decisively. The economy was in crisis, and beer producers made a compelling case to Congress: legalizing beer would create jobs and generate tax revenue. They lobbied hard, promising 300,000 new jobs and $400 million in annual tax income. Congress listened.

On March 22, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison Act into law. The legislation redefined “intoxicating liquor,” allowing the sale of beer and wine with an alcohol content of up to 3.2% by weight — roughly 4.0% ABV. Upon signing, Roosevelt reportedly quipped, “I think this would be a good time for a beer.”

💡 The Prohibition Snapshot
The 18th Amendment banned alcohol from 1920 to 1933. The Cullen-Harrison Act, signed March 22, 1933, allowed beer sales starting April 7. Full Prohibition didn’t officially end until December 5, 1933, when the 21st Amendment was ratified. FDR’s quote — “I think this would be a good time for a beer” — became one of the most iconic lines in American history.

April 7, 1933: The Day America Got Its Beer Back

When the Cullen-Harrison Act took effect on April 7, the response was immediate and electric. People gathered outside breweries across the country, some having camped out the night before. An estimated 1.5 million barrels of beer were consumed that single day. In Chicago alone, an estimated $5 million worth of beer was sold. The economic ripple effects were staggering: in the months that followed, manufacturing grew by 78%, and approximately four million people found new employment.

One charming detail: the Abner-Drury Brewery sent a guarded truck to the White House just after midnight with two cases of beer for the President. Roosevelt was asleep when it arrived. A Marine guard opened the first bottle himself — and the press photographed it.

How the Modern Holiday Was Born

The modern celebration of National Beer Day didn’t take shape until 2009. That year, Justin Smith, a craft beer enthusiast from Richmond, Virginia, was inspired after a stranger wished him “happy beer day” — a phrase connected to Iceland’s celebration of lifting its own beer ban on March 1. Smith, with encouragement from his friend Mike Connolly, researched the history of the Cullen-Harrison Act and created a Facebook group to celebrate National Beer Day on April 7. The idea spread quickly through social media. In 2011, the beer-tracking app Untappd created a special badge for users who checked in a beer on April 7. By 2017, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe officially recognized National Beer Day, and Congressman Dave Brat entered it into the Congressional Record.

National Beer Day 2026 Deals & Freebies

This is the section most people come back for, and rightfully so. National Beer Day is one of the most reliable days of the year for beer deals. Here’s what to look for in 2026:

Chain Restaurant Specials

Yard House has historically been one of the most consistent participants on National Beer Day, offering discounted pricing on select house beers. Keep their website and app bookmarked — deals are typically announced in the days leading up to April 7.

Other major chains to watch include Buffalo Wild Wings, Applebee’s, and local taproom-style restaurants in your area. Many of these chains run one-day-only promotions that are not widely advertised in advance, so the best strategy is to follow them on social media or sign up for their email lists before the big day.

Local Breweries & Taprooms

Local craft breweries are where the real action happens on National Beer Day. Many taprooms run special tasters, release limited-edition beers, or offer discounted flights specifically for the occasion. The best way to find out what’s happening near you is to check Google Maps for breweries in your area and visit their Instagram or Facebook pages in late March and early April.

How to Find Deals Near You

  • Follow local breweries on Instagram and Facebook — they announce specials there first.
  • Search Google for “National Beer Day deals [your city] 2026” in the week before April 7.
  • Check apps like Untappd, which often surface events and specials tied to the holiday.
  • Visit your local craft beer shop — many run their own in-store promotions.

Note: Specific 2026 deals will be updated on this page as they are confirmed closer to April 7. Bookmark this article and check back.

How to Celebrate National Beer Day 2026

Whether you’re planning a solo evening or a full-blown get-together, there are plenty of ways to make April 7 feel special.

Visit a Local Brewery or Taproom

This is, hands down, the most popular way to celebrate. Brewery taprooms have become destination experiences in their own right — many now offer food, live music, and guided tours. A brewery tour gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the craft, and most include free samples at the end. If you haven’t explored a local brewery in a while, National Beer Day is the perfect excuse to go back.

Host a Beer Tasting Night

Grab a few friends, pick up a mix-and-match six-pack (or two) from your local specialty shop, and set up a tasting flight at home. The key is variety: aim for at least four or five different styles. Provide tasting cards where guests can rate each beer on flavor, aroma, and finish. It’s social, it’s fun, and it doubles as a crash course in what you actually enjoy drinking.

Try a Beer and Food Pairing Dinner

Beer pairs with food just as beautifully as wine does — sometimes even better. A hoppy IPA alongside spicy tacos. A rich, roasty stout next to dark chocolate or aged cheese. A crisp lager with a simple grilled fish dish. If you want to elevate your National Beer Day celebration, a pairing dinner is the way to go. Many restaurants and breweries host these events on or around April 7.

Go Non-Alcoholic — And Still Celebrate

In 2026, celebrating National Beer Day without alcohol is not only possible — it’s genuinely exciting. The non-alcoholic craft beer market has exploded. Brands like Athletic Brewing and Heineken 0.0 have set a new standard, and local craft breweries are now releasing NA options that rival their alcoholic counterparts in complexity and flavor. More on this in the trending styles section below.

Share It on Social Media

Join the conversation online using the hashtag #NationalBeerDay. Post your pint, your brewery visit, or your home tasting setup. It’s one of the most active food and drink hashtags of the year, and it’s a great way to connect with the broader beer community.

Trending Beer Styles to Try in 2026

The craft beer landscape shifts every year, and 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most interesting years in recent memory. If you want to drink what’s actually worth drinking right now, pay attention to these styles.

The Lager Renaissance Is Here

After years of the craft beer world being dominated by bold, heavily hopped IPAs, consumers are turning back to something simpler — and demanding that it be done exceptionally well. Industry analysts are calling it the “Lager Renaissance,” and it’s the single biggest trend in American craft beer right now.

What’s driving this shift? Palate fatigue, for one. Drinkers who spent years exploring hazy IPAs and imperial stouts are now craving something clean, crisp, and refreshing. They want “beer-flavored beer” — but they want it made with the same care and skill that went into the craft movement’s best offerings. That means premium German-style Pilsners, classic Czech dark lagers, crisp Helles, and well-made American craft lagers are all having a moment.

The appeal goes beyond taste. Lagers tend to be lower in alcohol than many craft styles, making them ideal for enjoying multiple pints without the heaviness. They pair effortlessly with almost any food. And for breweries, a well-made lager is a true test of skill — there’s nowhere to hide flaws in a clean, simple beer.

What to order: Ask for a craft pilsner, a German Helles, or a Czech-style dark lager at your local taproom. If the brewery made it in-house, it’s likely going to be very good.

Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer Is No Longer a Niche

This is not a trend. It’s a permanent shift in how Americans drink. Non-alcoholic beer sales have seen explosive year-over-year growth, with some reports tracking increases of over 30% in on-premise sales. The global NA beer market is now worth over $13 billion, and it’s growing fast.

The reason is straightforward: a large and growing number of drinkers — especially Millennials and Gen Z — want to participate in the social experience of beer without the alcohol. And in 2026, they finally have options that are actually good. Athletic Brewing has become a household name in the NA space, and Heineken 0.0 continues to expand with new flavors. But the real action is at the local level, where craft breweries are releasing NA IPAs, NA lagers, and NA stouts that can genuinely fool a seasoned drinker.

What to order: If you’re curious, start with an NA IPA or an NA craft lager. These two styles have translated best to the non-alcoholic format. And if you’re at a taproom on National Beer Day, ask the bartender what their best NA option is — most places have one worth trying.

West Coast IPAs and Session Beers Are Making a Comeback

The era of extreme IPAs — triple IPAs, milkshake IPAs, anything that hits 10% ABV — is cooling off. What’s replacing it is a return to balance. West Coast IPAs, with their clean bitterness and bright citrus character, are seeing renewed interest from drinkers who want something hoppy but not overpowering. Session beers — anything under 5% ABV — are also gaining ground, because people want to enjoy more than one pint without feeling it the next morning.

Bold Flavors and Global Influences

On the more adventurous end of the spectrum, 2026 is seeing a surge in flavor experimentation. Fruited sours, coffee-infused stouts, sake-inspired ales, and beers brewed with botanicals and global spices are all trending upward, particularly among younger drinkers. If you’re the type who likes to try something new, this is where the most exciting beers are being made right now.

Beer Facts & Trivia That Will Blow Your Mind

Beer is one of the oldest manufactured beverages on the planet. Here are some facts that put its history — and its cultural significance — into perspective.

Beer might be older than civilization itself. Archaeological evidence from a cave near Haifa, Israel suggests that beer was brewed as far back as 13,000 years ago by the Natufian people, a group of hunter-gatherers who predated organized agriculture. The discovery challenges the long-held assumption that beer was simply a byproduct of bread-making.

The world’s oldest industrial-scale brewery was found in Egypt. Archaeologists uncovered a massive brewing facility at Abydos, dating to approximately 3000 BCE — the dawn of the Egyptian state. The site contained eight parallel production installations, each holding roughly 40 ceramic vats, with the capacity to produce enough beer to serve thousands of people in a single batch. Beer was used in royal rituals and as payment to laborers.

The oldest continuously operating brewery in the world is nearly 1,000 years old. Weihenstephan Brewery in Bavaria, Germany, has been licensed to brew since 1040 CE. Originally a Benedictine monastery brewery, it has survived fires, plagues, earthquakes, and wars. It still operates today as the Bavarian State Brewery and remains closely tied to the Technical University of Munich.

The oldest brewery in America is Yuengling, founded in 1829 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, by a German immigrant named David G. Yuengling. It has been in continuous operation for nearly 200 years.

Beer is the third most consumed beverage on earth — after water and tea. More than 35 billion gallons are produced worldwide every year.

The craft beer industry is a massive economic force. In 2024, craft beer’s contribution to the U.S. economy reached an estimated $77.1 billion. There were nearly 9,800 craft breweries operating in the country, employing close to 200,000 people directly in brewing alone. Craft beer now accounts for nearly a quarter of all U.S. beer sales by dollar value.

A 3,900-year-old Sumerian poem contains the oldest surviving beer recipe. Known as the Hymn to Ninkasi, it was written in honor of the Mesopotamian goddess of brewing and describes, in poetic detail, how to make beer from barley bread.

National Beer Day Around the World

While National Beer Day is an American celebration, the love of beer — and the desire to honor it — stretches across the globe.

Iceland celebrates its own Beer Day on March 1, marking the end of a 74-year nationwide prohibition on beer that lasted from 1915 to 1989. The date holds deep cultural significance in Iceland, much the way April 7 does in the United States.

The United Kingdom observes National Drinking Day on June 15, a celebration that was made official in 2015 by British beer sommelier Jane Peyton. The date was chosen because it connects to the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215.

International Beer Day is celebrated on the first Friday of August each year and is a truly global event. Unlike National Beer Day, which is tied to a specific piece of American legislation, International Beer Day is a broad celebration of beer culture, craft brewers, and the enjoyment of beer in every form around the world.

Germany’s Oktoberfest, while not a “beer day” in the traditional sense, is arguably the world’s most famous beer celebration. First held in 1810 in Munich, it draws millions of visitors each year and remains the gold standard for beer festivals worldwide.

FAQs About National Beer Day

Is National Beer Day a federal holiday?
No. National Beer Day is not recognized as an official federal holiday by the U.S. government. It is an unofficial, culturally driven celebration that has grown organically through social media and community participation since 2009. That said, it has been officially recognized by the state of Virginia and entered into the Congressional Record.

What’s the difference between National Beer Day and International Beer Day?
National Beer Day (April 7) is a U.S.-specific celebration tied to the repeal of Prohibition via the Cullen-Harrison Act. International Beer Day (first Friday of August) is a worldwide celebration with no single historical anchor — it’s simply a global toast to beer and the people who make it.

Can I celebrate if I don’t drink alcohol?
Absolutely. In 2026, the non-alcoholic craft beer scene is thriving. Many breweries offer NA options that are genuinely impressive. You can also celebrate by visiting a brewery tour, learning about the history of brewing, attending a tasting event as a designated driver, or simply joining the conversation online with #NationalBeerDay.

How did National Beer Day start?
It started in 2009, when Justin Smith of Richmond, Virginia, created a Facebook group to celebrate the anniversary of the Cullen-Harrison Act. The holiday spread through social media and was officially recognized by Virginia in 2017.

What breweries offer deals on National Beer Day?
National chains like Yard House have historically run specials on April 7. Local breweries and taprooms across the country also participate with deals, special releases, and events. Follow your favorite spots on social media and check their websites in late March for confirmed 2026 promotions.

National Beer Day on April 7, 2026, is more than a reason to grab a pint — though it’s certainly that too. It’s a celebration of one of humanity’s oldest crafts, a nod to a pivotal moment in American history, and in 2026, an invitation to explore a beer landscape that has never been more diverse, more inclusive, or more interesting.

Whether you’re sipping a perfectly crafted lager at a local taproom, hosting a tasting night with friends, or raising a glass of non-alcoholic craft beer and feeling genuinely good about it, there’s a place for you in this celebration. Mark your calendar for April 7. And remember: the night before is New Beer’s Eve. Plan accordingly.

🔗 Sources & Further Reading


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