Nc brewer's guild

A history of beer in North Carolina

By susando
  • The Theory and Practice of Brewing is published.

    The Theory and Practice of Brewing is published.

    Michael Combrune publishes The Theory and Practice of Brewing, which can be called the first "Beer Brewing for Dummies". Source: www.beerhistory.com Image: The John Adams Library at the Boston Public Library
  • North Carolina's first brewery opens.

    North Carolina's first brewery opens.

    Single Brother's Brewery and Distillery opens on Old Shallowford Road in Salem. Source: Wikipedia Image: http://singlebrothers.blogspot.com/
  • Period: to

    Forty breweries and brewpubs open in North Carolina between 1774 and 2005.

  • George Washington endorses American beer.

    George Washington endorses American beer.

    George Washington encourages the country to "buy American". Washington to the Marquis de Lafayatte: "We have already been too long subject to British prejudices. I use no porter or cheese in my family, but such as is made in America; both these articles may now be purchased of an excellent quality." Source: beerhistory.com, penandpint.com Photo: Yards Brewing Company
  • North Carolina goes dry.

    North Carolina goes dry.

    May 1908 - Statewide Prohibition After a referendum vote of 62% to 38%, North Carolina becomes the first southern state to prohibit alcoholic beverages. Sources: Daniel Jay Whitener, University of North Carolina Press, 1945. Clarence Hamilton Poe, Mutual Publishing Co., [19--?] Photo: News and Observer (Raleigh, N.C.), 26 May 1908.
  • Prohibition begins

    Prohibition begins

    At midnight, January 16, 1920, the United States went dry. After 36 states approve it, the 18th Amendment is ratified on January 16, 1919 and goes into effect January 17, 1920. Source: Digital History, Wikipedia Photo: The Amiercan Issue, January 16, 1919
  • The 21st Amendment repeals Prohibition.

    The 21st Amendment repeals Prohibition.

    Utah ratifies the 21st Amendment, giving the federal government the 3/4 majority needed to repeal Prohibition. The amendment still allows states to regulate Prohibition. Source, Image: The New York Times, December 6, 1933
  • North Carolina repeals prohibition.

    North Carolina repeals prohibition.

    Two years after the federal repeal, North Carolina repeals prohibition. Source: beerinator.com Photo: ctrl-alt-grant, Flickr, August 2006, Wilson, NC
  • North Carolina Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association is established.

    North Carolina Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association is established.

    http://ncbwwa.org/ "The North Carolina Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association is founded in 1936 as a non-profit trade association to promote and protect the general business interests of beer and wine distributors in North Carolina." Souce: http://ncbwwa.org/
  • NC ABC is formed.

    NC ABC is formed.

    After Prohibition, North Carolina relinquishes regulation of alcohol to its counties. The 1937 Alcoholic Beverage Control bill "allowed voters in each county to determine whether or not spirituous liquor should be sold at retail" and established a commission to oversee state-regulated "ABC stores". Source: Documenting the American South: http://docsouth.unc.edu/highlights/temperance.html Photo: WRAL
  • Brewpubs legalized in North Carolina.

    Brewpubs legalized in North Carolina.

    Uli Bennewitz lobbies for the legalization of brewpubs in North Carolina. Bennewitz later opens the Weeping Radish, NC's first brewpub, on Manteo in 1988. Source: Andrew Tamayo, NC Law Review Association, 2010 Image: http://www.weepingradish.com/
  • NC Specialty Crops Program begins to explore hop farming.

    NC Specialty Crops Program begins to explore hop farming.

    North Carolina Specialty Crops Program Funded by the Golden LEAF Foundation and fueled by the growth of the craft beer industry, the NC Specialty Crops Program (SCP) begins exploring the viability of hops as a tobacco replacement crop. Source: North Carolina Specialty Crops Program (SCP) Photo: craftbeercollective.com Photo:
  • Pop the Cap lobbying begins.

    Pop the Cap lobbying begins.

    NC citizens gather at the office of All About Beer magazine to discuss how to lift North Carolina’s 6% alcohol by volume cap on beer. North Carolina legislated a 6% ABV restriction on beer sold and brewed within the state. In 2003, NC was one of five states with this ABV limitation. Source, image: http://popthecap.org/
  • Period: to

    Post-Pop the Cap

    Since "Pop the Cap" legislation increased NC's beer ABV limit, at least 11 breweries and brewpubs have opened in the state.
  • NC raises beer alcohol limit to 15%.

    NC raises beer alcohol limit to 15%.

    Governor Mike Easley signs House Bill 392 into law, lifting the 6% ABV cap to 15%. Source, image: http://popthecap.org/
  • NC Brewer's Guild forms to support the craft beer industry.

    NC Brewer's Guild forms to support the craft beer industry.

    The NC Brewer's Guild is incorporated as a non-profit organization to:
    • Promote NC Beers
    • Cooperate on Purchasing
    • Exchange Knowledge and Support among Members and to
    • Support Legislative Initiatives. Source, image: http://www.ncbeer.org/
  • Asheville overtakes Portland in national beer poll.

    Asheville overtakes Portland in national beer poll.

    Asheville edges Portland in BeerCity USA poll. With 9 breweries and a population of 75,000, Asheville, NC edges out Portland, OR for the title of BeerCity USA. Source: examiner.com
  • Beer industry expands in North Carolina

    Beer industry expands in North Carolina

    Craft beer industry expands in NC.The beer industry contributes 37,000 jobs and $3.8 billion to North Carolina's economy, reports the Beer Institute (a lobbying and advocacy group for the beer industry).