A Toast to Jimmy Carter: How He Revolutionized the Craft Beer Scene
A Brief History of Beer in the US
Boston Beer Company, the brewer of iconic Sam Adams, today is valued at $3.4 billion. Its owner, Jim Koch, credits his success to Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States.
The Prohibition Era and Beyond
In 1978, Carter signed a bill that allowed individuals to brew beer for personal enjoyment, lifting regulations imposed by Prohibition laws over 50 years previous.
From Prohibition to Legalization
“Essentially, it lifted regulations imposed by Prohibition laws over 50 years previous,” wrote the American Homebrewers Association in its Carter remembrance.
While some states were quick to adopt federal legalization as their state’s policy on home beermaking, others developed their own language.
A Nation of Homebrewers
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 that year.
Carter’s Legacy Lives On
“Cheers, and thank you to an American homebrew hero, President Jimmy Carter,” wrote the American Homebrewers Association.
“His legacy will live on in every batch of beer brewed.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What did Jimmy Carter do to help the craft beer scene?
A: Carter signed a bill in 1978 that allowed individuals to brew beer for personal enjoyment, lifting regulations imposed by Prohibition laws.
Q: What was the impact of this bill?
A: It allowed homebrewing to become legal in most states, paving the way for the modern craft beer movement.
Q: What is the current value of Boston Beer Company?
A: As of today, Boston Beer Company is valued at $3.4 billion.
Q: Who owns Boston Beer Company?
A: Jim Koch, a sixth-generation brewer, owns Boston Beer Company and credits his success to Jimmy Carter.
Q: How did Carter’s bill affect homebrewing laws in the US?
A: Carter’s bill led to the legalization of homebrewing in all 50 states by 2013, with some states adopting federal legalization and others developing their own language.
