National Beer Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
The Brewers Association lists National Beer Day on 7 April 2026 and explains that it commemorates the Cullen-Harrison Act taking effect on 7 April 1933.
About National Beer Day
National Beer Day is observed in the United States on April 7. The date commemorates April 7, 1933, when the Cullen-Harrison Act took effect and permitted certain lower-alcohol beer and wine before the later full repeal of Prohibition.
The Brewers Association lists National Beer Day on April 7. Virginia legislative records attribute creation of the modern observance to Justin Smith and Mike Connolly and designate April 7 as National Beer Day in Virginia beginning in 2019.
Why National Beer Day matters
The observance is a cultural and brewing-history date rather than a requirement to drink alcohol. It can be marked through history, brewing education or alcohol-free participation.
Alcohol laws and minimum ages vary by jurisdiction. Anyone who chooses to drink should follow local law, avoid impaired driving and make choices appropriate to their own health and circumstances.
History of National Beer Day
The Cullen-Harrison Act took effect on April 7, 1933, allowing certain beer and wine sales before national Prohibition was fully repealed later that year.
U.S. Census material citing the Congressional Record says Justin Smith sparked the idea of celebrating National Beer Day on April 7 in 2009.
Virginia House Joint Resolution 90 states that Justin Smith and Mike Connolly created National Beer Day and designates April 7 in 2019 and each succeeding year as National Beer Day in Virginia.
That Virginia designation is state-level recognition; the reviewed sources do not establish National Beer Day as a recurring federal statutory public holiday.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Justin Smith and Mike Connolly
Virginia House Joint Resolution 90 states that National Beer Day was created by Richmond native Justin Smith and Mike Connolly.
Designated April 7 in 2019 and in each succeeding year as National Beer Day in Virginia.
Virginia General Assembly · House Joint Resolution No. 90
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
7 fields not established in reviewed sources
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
Also known as
National Beer Day
How to Observe National Beer Day
Learn about the Cullen-Harrison Act and the legal transition out of Prohibition using government or historical sources.
Visit a brewing-history exhibit or read about brewing science without needing to consume alcohol.
Choose non-alcoholic options if you prefer or if drinking is not legal or appropriate for you.
If drinking, follow local minimum-age and service laws and plan transportation that does not involve impaired driving.
Avoid pressuring anyone to drink; participation can be entirely educational or alcohol-free.
National Beer Day Facts
National Beer Day is observed on April 7.
The date is tied to the Cullen-Harrison Act taking effect on April 7, 1933.
Virginia legislative records attribute the modern observance to Justin Smith and Mike Connolly.
Virginia designated April 7 as National Beer Day beginning in 2019 and each succeeding year.
The reviewed evidence does not establish a recurring federal statutory public holiday.
Alcohol-free participation is valid, and local alcohol laws and impaired-driving rules still apply.
National Beer Day Messages
National Beer Day on April 7 is a chance to learn about U.S. brewing and Prohibition-era history.
Celebrate responsibly: follow local laws, respect personal choices and never drive impaired.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Age Restricted Topic Boundary.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
CDC — About Alcohol Use (opens in a new tab)
Federal Health
U.S. Census Bureau — National Beer Day (opens in a new tab)
Federal Government
Virginia General Assembly — HJR 90 (2018) (opens in a new tab)
State Legislature
Brewers Association — National Beer Day (opens in a new tab)
Industry Association
CDC — Impaired Driving (opens in a new tab)
Federal Health
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is National Beer Day?
7 April The documented recurrence rule is: 7 April.
Does National Beer Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is National Beer Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United States / brewing-industry observance tied to the Cullen-Harrison Act. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes National Beer Day?
The documented basis is: The Brewers Association lists National Beer Day on 7 April 2026 and explains that it commemorates the Cullen-Harrison Act taking effect on 7 April 1933.. Supporting evidence includes Brewers Association — National Beer Day. The site does not infer a separate creator or founder unless reviewed evidence establishes one.
Is National Beer Day international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to United States. Its fuller verified scope is: United States / brewing-industry observance tied to the Cullen-Harrison Act.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-10-02.
When is National Beer Day?
It is observed on April 7 in the United States.
Why April 7?
The date commemorates April 7, 1933, when the Cullen-Harrison Act took effect.
Who created the modern observance?
Virginia legislative records attribute it to Justin Smith and Mike Connolly.
Is National Beer Day a federal public holiday?
The reviewed sources do not establish it as a recurring federal statutory public holiday; Virginia has a state legislative designation for April 7 beginning in 2019.
Other observances on April 7
These observances are also listed on April 7, 2027.
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Childhelp; congressional recognition cited by the organizer
International Beaver Day
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo identifies 7 April as International Beaver Day, and a current municipal conservation notice also recognizes the date.
International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda
A/RES/58/234
Karume Day
United Republic of Tanzania government sources
Motherhood and Beauty Day
Armenia’s current holidays/remembrance law states that Motherhood and Beauty Day is observed on April 7. Historical ARLIS texts show a 1994 establishing decision and later removal of the no…
Mozambican Women’s Day (Dia da Mulher Moçambicana)
Mozambique’s Government Portal lists 7 April as Dia da Mulher Moçambicana and links the holiday to remembrance of Josina Machel.