In the winter of 1933, America was on the cusp of reclaiming a freedom it had lost nearly fourteen years earlier. The Prohibition era, which began in 1920 with the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act, had been marked by speakeasies, bootlegging, and a general sense of defiance from the public. The noble experiment, meant to curb alcohol consumption and promote moral virtue, had instead fueled organized crime, strained law enforcement, and left the federal government desperate for revenue during the Great Depression.
The movement to end Prohibition gained steam in the early 1930s. Wary of the hypocrisy and corruption it had bred, ordinary citizens began speaking out. Prominent voices like the Women’s Organization for National Prohibition Reform argued that the amendment had failed its moral and social objectives. The promise of new jobs and much-needed tax revenue from a revived alcohol industry added practical urgency to the cause.
In March 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated as President. His campaign had promised action on the issue, and one of his first moves was to sign the Cullen-Harrison Act, which legalized beer and wine with an alcohol content of up to 3.2%. Crowds lined up outside breweries and bars as the first legal pints in over a decade were poured. A popular quip spread across the country: “Happy days are here again!”
But full repeal required dismantling the 18th Amendment itself. That summer, Congress passed the 21st Amendment, which set the stage for a nationwide vote. State conventions were called to ratify the amendment, bypassing the slow-moving state legislatures. Momentum was swift. On December 5, 1933, Utah became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, meeting the three-fourths majority needed.
In cities and towns across the country, celebrations erupted. In Chicago, patrons poured into the streets, raising glasses to toast the end of an era. New York City saw its speakeasies emerge into the daylight, transforming overnight into legitimate establishments. Even in smaller towns, families who had been quietly brewing beer or fermenting wine in basements and barns brought their crafts into the open.
For many, the repeal was more than just the end of a restrictive law—it was a reclaiming of joy, culture, and the simple right to choose. The beer industry surged back to life, creating jobs and reinvigorating struggling communities. Local breweries, many of which had barely survived Prohibition by pivoting to soda or ice cream, returned to their original craft with fervor.
However, the scars of Prohibition lingered. Organized crime syndicates, which had grown rich and powerful during the dry years, did not simply vanish. Some communities, particularly in the South, chose to remain dry, enforcing their own bans on alcohol for decades to come.
Yet, the repeal of Prohibition became a symbol of America’s resilience and ability to course-correct. It demonstrated that laws, however well-intentioned, must reflect the will and realities of the people. And for brewers, vintners, distillers, and drinkers, December 5th became a day to remember: the day Americans raised a glass to freedom.
Epilogue
Years later, a new generation of breweries emerged, crafting unique beers and reviving old traditions. Among them were competitions like the Great American Beer Festival and the U.S. Open Beer Championship, celebrating the artistry of brewing that Prohibition had once threatened to erase. These events became a testament to the enduring spirit of craft and creativity—a legacy that the repeal of Prohibition had helped to preserve.