International Beer Day
Every year, the first Friday of August is marked as International Beer Day.
The celebration began in 2007 as a small local gathering in Santa Cruz, California, and has since brewed into a global holiday observed in more than 80 countries.
It’s a day to raise your glass to one of the world’s oldest and most beloved beverages, from hoppy IPAs to smooth stouts, and everything in between.
International Beer Day Origins
International Beer Day was born in 2007 when Jesse Avshalomov and his beer-loving friends decided to create a celebration centered around their favorite beverage.
Their mission was simple: enjoy good beer with good friends, recognize and appreciate the people who brew and serve it, and bring people from all corners of the world together through their shared love of beer.
What started as a laid-back local gathering quickly gained momentum. Unsurprisingly, the idea caught on fast.
Soon, countries across the globe were joining in, turning it into an international toast to one of humanity’s oldest and most beloved drinks.
From 2007 to 2012, International Beer Day was observed on August 5. However, in true democratic and beer-loving fashion, the founders opened up a public vote. The people spoke, and in 2012, the date was officially changed to the first Friday of August, giving everyone a full weekend to recover responsibly.
Celebrating International Beer Day
No matter your beer preference, whether you’re loyal to lagers, crazy about IPAs, or a die-hard stout fan, International Beer Day has something for everyone.
One of the simplest ways to celebrate is by sharing the love: buy a beer for a friend, give a shoutout to your favorite bartender, or raise a glass to the brewers behind your go-to pint.
Many people take the opportunity to explore beers from around the world, sampling everything from crisp Japanese lagers to rich
German wheat beers and smooth Belgian blondes. For those who want to turn things up a notch, local pubs, breweries, and beer gardens often host lively events like special tappings, happy hour deals, trivia nights with a beer twist, and classic beer pong battles.
Some Interesting Beer Facts
- Beer has been around since at least 5000 BC, making it one of the world’s oldest drinks.
- It holds the title as the most popular alcoholic beverage globally.
- Leading beer producers include countries like the U.S., China, Mexico, Brazil, and Germany.
- Believe it or not, beer has some nutritional perks, it contains fiber, minerals, vitamins, and even polyphenols (cheers to that little health boost!).
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