By Sarah Bryan and Jason Taylor
The United States celebrates National Beer Day every April 7. But Maine鈥檚 annual celebration should really take place on July 1.
April 7 commemorates the day in 1933 when the federal government declared beer up to 4% alcohol by volume to be 鈥渘on-intoxicating.鈥 This allowed beer even while the nation remained under the 18th Amendment鈥檚 prohibition of intoxicating beverages. After more than 13 years in the desert, beer was back.
Legal beer鈥檚 return on April 7 was greeted with raucous celebrations across much of the country, but Maine was excluded due to the continuance of its long-standing state-level prohibition. This will come as little surprise to those who know the state鈥檚 history. Portland was home to the world鈥檚 first Total Abstinence Society in 1815, and Maine became the first ever 鈥渄ry鈥 state when it passed a full prohibition in 1851.
After many twists and turns, on June 29 the Maine Legislature cleared the way for legal beer to arrive on July 1, 1933. On June 30 鈥 Maine鈥檚 own 鈥淣ew Beer鈥檚 Eve鈥 鈥 the Portland Central Railroad reported that lager-toting trains were en route from New York, Boston, Providence and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Beer could not legally cross the state line until 12:01 a.m., yet more than 2 million bottles entered Maine shortly after midnight. While Portland鈥檚 supply came primarily by train, Bangor鈥檚 arrived by boat. Official figures from the Eastern Steamship Company suggested that 5,180 cases 鈥 around 100,000 bottles 鈥 floated from Boston to Bangor that evening.
Hundreds of Bangor residents gathered at the wharf in the dead of the night to watch as cases were removed from boats and placed onto trucks before being whisked away to various destinations such as Bar Harbor, Ellsworth, Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft, Greenville, Presque Isle, Houlton, Limestone and St. Agatha.
For citizens in other states, the sight of trucks with cases of beer piled high brought back memories of the good old days. For most of Maine鈥檚 800,000 residents, however, this scene was entirely novel, as the state hadn鈥檛 tasted a legal drink since 1871.
Beer sales could legally commence at 6 a.m. and many Mainers sampled the new beer with their bacon and eggs. Sampling continued throughout the day. The Portland Press Herald noted that 鈥淎 thirst accumulated for 62 years encouraged Portland to dive into the new beer [as] thousands of bottles were drained and taps were seldom shut.鈥 The city鈥檚 restaurants and hotels enjoyed a thriving business as sales exceeded even the loftiest expectations.
In Bath, restaurants saw a brisk morning rush and practically everyone had a bottle or two of beer with their breakfast. But the far larger beer run began statewide at lunchtime when it was discovered that beer also went down very nicely with a sandwich and pretzels. While a few places served beer in good old-fashioned steins, most made do with ordinary water glasses 鈥 but no one minded.
Despite being long out of practice, Maine did very well for itself. A celebratory spirit was reported statewide, but police reported no signs of trouble that could be traced to the new beer.
Today, nearly a century later, Maine鈥檚 craft beer scene has become a cornerstone of the Pine Tree State鈥檚 economy and culture. With over 130 breweries represented by the Maine Brewers鈥 Guild, Maine boasts the second-highest number of breweries per capita in the U.S. and the industry contributes $743 million annually to Maine鈥檚 economy.
Whether you鈥檙e seeking beer from Portland or Presque Isle, Maine beer is unified in a homegrown blend of exceptional craftsmanship, local ingredients and a strong sense of place; made from pristine water, farm-grown ingredients, and with the spirit of innovation to create beers that are not just enjoyed, but deeply admired. Every pint honors the state鈥檚 independent character.
Mainers should go ahead and celebrate April鈥檚 National Beer Day in solidarity with our fellow Americans. But July 1 is our own, far more important, Maine Beer Day. Cheers!