National Drink Beer Day is celebrated every year on September 28th, giving beer lovers a simple, straightforward excuse to enjoy one of the world’s oldest and most popular beverages.
History of National Drink Beer Day
Unlike many national observances, National Drink Beer Day doesn’t have a documented founder or origin story. It appears to have grown organically over time, gaining momentum online as breweries, bars, and beer enthusiasts embraced the date. One happy coincidence worth noting: September 28th is also the birthday of Arthur Guinness, who founded the famous Guinness Brewery in Dublin in 1759, signing a legendary 9,000-year lease on the brewery’s site.
The date also lands squarely within the global Oktoberfest season, giving beer lovers an especially fitting reason to celebrate. This day should not be confused with a few similarly named observances, including National Beer Day on April 7th and International Beer Day, celebrated the first Friday in August.
10 Fun Facts About Beer
- Beer brewing can be traced back roughly 6,000 to 9,500 years, with some of the earliest evidence found in ancient Sumeria and the Fertile Crescent.
- By around 2000 BCE, ancient Babylonians were brewing roughly twenty different types of beer.
- Ancient Egyptians reportedly used beer as a form of payment, including for workers who built the pyramids.
- Beer was often safer to drink than untreated water in medieval Europe, since the brewing process helped kill off harmful bacteria.
- Hops weren’t widely introduced into beer brewing until around the 9th to 11th centuries in Germany.
- Louis Pasteur’s 19th century discoveries about yeast and fermentation, along with pasteurization, transformed how beer could be produced and preserved.
- By 1880, the United States had roughly 3,200 breweries, a number that Prohibition later crushed, though craft brewing has helped the country approach similar numbers again today.
- The Czech Republic consistently ranks as the highest per-capita beer-consuming country in the world.
- September 28th is also the birthday of Arthur Guinness, founder of the iconic Guinness Brewery.
- The world’s strongest commercially sold beer has reached an alcohol content well above 60%, far beyond typical beer strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Drink Beer Day?
National Drink Beer Day is celebrated annually on September 28th.
Is National Drink Beer Day the same as National Beer Day?
No, National Beer Day is a separate observance celebrated on April 7th. National Drink Beer Day falls on September 28th.
Who started National Drink Beer Day?
The origins aren’t clearly documented. No individual or organization has been credited with founding the observance, which appears to have grown organically over time.