Did Jimmy Carter Start the Craft Beer Industry?
A Look at the President’s Role in the Rise of Craft Beer
While we’re honoring our nation’s 39th president, beer lovers can raise a glass to him as well.
The Story Behind Boston Beer Company’s Success
Many people might not know that Jimmy Carter is a huge reason why the national craft beer scene is bustling.
Boston Beer Company today is valued at $3.4 billion. And its owner Jim Koch credits all of his success to Carter.
For those who don’t know, Boston Beer Company, maybe you’ve heard of Sam Adams. The iconic Boston lager is what put the microbrewery on the map when Koch — a sixth generation brewer — started his empire in 1984.
Carter’s Role in the Craft Beer Movement
The San Diego Reader says Koch thanks Carter for helping him become a major organizer of the American craft beer movement. This was after Carter signed a bill in 1978 allowing individuals to brew for personal enjoyment.
“Essentially, it lifted regulations imposed by Prohibition laws over 50 years previous,” the American Homebrewers Association wrote in its Carter remembrance Sunday night.
“Some states were quick to adopt federal legalization as their state’s policy on home beermaking, while others developed their own language,” the message continued. “It wasn’t until 2013 — nearly 100 years after Prohibition made homebrewing illegal — that making beer at home became legal in all 50 states, with Mississippi and Alabama both establishing homebrew legality in that year.
Celebrating Carter’s Legacy
“Cheers, and thank you to an American homebrew hero, President Jimmy Carter,” the note concluded. “His legacy will live on in every batch of beer brewed.”
Conclusion
Jimmy Carter’s signing of the bill in 1978 allowing individuals to brew for personal enjoyment paved the way for the national craft beer scene to flourish. His legacy continues to be celebrated by beer enthusiasts and homebrewers across the country.
FAQs
Q: What was the significance of Jimmy Carter’s bill in 1978?
A: The bill lifted regulations imposed by Prohibition laws, allowing individuals to brew for personal enjoyment.
Q: How did this impact the craft beer industry?
A: The bill helped to create a national craft beer scene, allowing individuals to brew and share their own beer, which in turn led to the growth of microbreweries and craft beer companies.
Q: What is the current value of Boston Beer Company?
A: Boston Beer Company is valued at $3.4 billion.
