International Beer Day is an annual celebration of beer, taking place on the first Friday in August. Originally founded in 2007 in Santa Cruz, California, the day has grown into a worldwide event with celebrations in over 50 countries. But what's it all about and how can you take part? Here's everything you need to know about International Beer Day.
What is International Beer Day?
International Beer Day is a global celebration of beer, bringing together breweries, bars, restaurants and beer lovers to enjoy and appreciate the world's most popular alcoholic beverage. The day was founded in 2007 in Santa Cruz, California by Jesse Avshalomov, Evan Hamilton, and their friends who thought the world needed an annual holiday to celebrate the enjoyment of beer and its cultural and social contributions.
The inaugural event started small, with local breweries and bars in Santa Cruz hosting special events and beer tastings. Word spread, and by 2012 International Beer Day had expanded to become a worldwide celebration observed in over 50 countries. The day is now sponsored by major organizations like the Brewers Association and celebrated with hundreds of events at breweries, pubs and tasting rooms around the world.
Why is International Beer Day celebrated?
There are a few motivations behind International Beer Day and why it has become such a popular event:
- To celebrate and appreciate beer - One of the main reasons for the day is simply for beer lovers everywhere to come together and celebrate the beverage. It provides an excuse to enjoy some great beers and appreciate the diversity of styles, flavors and brewing traditions from around the world.
- Support local and craft breweries - International Beer Day heavily promotes local, independent breweries who often organize events and special releases. It's a way to support these businesses and the craft beer movement.
- Promote beer culture and education - Many International Beer Day events include tastings, talks or demonstrations to educate people more about beer, such as beer and food matching or styles of brewing. It aims to promote an appreciation and understanding of beer.
- Bring people together - With events happening in pubs, bars and breweries everywhere, International Beer Day is ultimately about bringing people together over this universally loved beverage.
How is International Beer Day celebrated?
International Beer Day gives beer fans plenty of opportunities to celebrate their favorite drink:
- Special events at bars, pubs & breweries - From trivia and meet the brewer nights to tap takeovers and beer meals, bars and breweries host all kinds of events. Look up local listings to see what's happening near you.
- New beer releases - Lots of breweries release special new beers or limited editions to mark the day. Keep an eye out for these unique brews.
- Beer festivals & tastings - Beer festivals often coincide with International Beer Day. Attend one to try a huge variety of different beers.
- Toasting with friends - Simply get together with friends and toast with your favorite beers. Share brews and enjoy each other's company.
- Social media - Share your celebrations using the hashtag
Step By Step Guide to Celebrating International Beer Day
Here is a simple step by step guide to celebrating International Beer Day:
- Research local events - Check listings for events at local bars, breweries and beer festivals happening near you.
- Make plans - Decide on events to attend or make plans to celebrate with friends. Book tickets in advance if needed.
- Pick beers to try - Check local and specialty beer store listings for new and unique bottles to try. Maybe pick a country and explore beers from that region.
- Prepare beer snacks - Get some food to accompany your beer sampling. Cheese, charcuterie, pretzels are all good options.
- Use public transportation - Be responsible and take a taxi, Uber, public transit or assign a designated driver for the day.
- Attend events & tastings - Head to the local breweries, bars and festivals you planned on. Chat to other beer lovers and brewery staff.
- Toast International Beer Day! - Raise a glass and make a toast to celebrate the day wherever you are.
- Post on social media - Share photos and thoughts from your day using
Tips for Enjoying International Beer Day
- Taste new styles - Try beers you've never had before to expand your palate.
- Talk to brewers - Chat with the people who make the beer to learn more.
- Pair with food - Match different beer styles with suitable dishes.
- Share with friends - Beer is made for social drinking.
- Drink water - Stay hydrated to avoid getting too drunk.
- Take public transit - Don't drink and drive.
- Sample sizes - Opt for small taster sizes so you can sample more beers.
- Take notes - Record flavors and impressions to look back on later.
- Drink slowly - Sip and savor each beer. Don't rush through them.
- Buy local beer - Support small independent breweries who need your business.
Conclusion
International Beer Day has quickly become one of the biggest celebrations on the beer calendar. Originally a small local event in California, it has successfully spread across six continents as a global celebration bringing beer fans together to appreciate all that they love about beer. Bars, breweries, restaurants and beer organizations help drive the celebrations with special events, tastings, releases and more.
For any beer lover, it's the perfect excuse to try new beers, meet fellow enthusiasts and generally join in raising a glass to this beloved beverage. Of course, moderation and responsibility should be kept top of mind. But overall, International Beer Day is a fun and engaging event to share our enjoyment of beer and support local independent brewers. So see what's happening in your area this International Beer Day and take part in the worldwide celebrations!
