The history of beer in the 20th century saw many changes. Laws, technology, scientific advancement, business organization, and many other changes occurred. They influenced brewing techniques, brewery size, drinking tastes, and drinking patterns. These changes continue today in the expansion of home brewing, microbreweries, and brew pubs.

                 This is Part of a Series

History of Beer Before Christianity: Timeline.

History of Beer in Early Christianity: Timeline.

Beer History in the 15th Century: Timeline.  

History of Beer in the 16th Century: Timeline.

History of Beer in the 17th Century: Timeline.

Beer History in the 18th Century: Timeline.

History of Beer in the 19th Century: Timeline.

History of Beer in the 20th Century & Beyond: Timeline.

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History of Beer in the 20th Century & Beyond

1901  

•The U.S. reduced the tax on a barrel of beer from $2 a barrel to $1.60.
•Busch overtook Pabst to become the best-selling beer in the U.S.

1902

The U.S. reduced the barrel tax on beer to $1.00.

1903

•German brewers formed China’s Tsingtao Brewery.
•The first fully automatic bottle-making machine was built.

1909

Teddy Roosevelt brought over 500 gallons of beer on a safari in Africa.

1913

Congress passed the Webb-Kenyon Act. It prohibited the shipment of alcoholic beverages into dry (prohibition) U.S. states.

1914

The Secretary of Navy ordered prohibition of alcohol on U.S. Naval ships and Naval installations

1918

Pres. Woodrow Wilson ordered all U.S. breweries to shut down in order to save grain for the war effort.

1919

•States ratified the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in January. It called for National Prohibition to begin one year from the date of ratification. This was a major event in the history of beer in the 20th century.
•Congress passed the Volstead Act for implementing National Prohibition.

1921

•Brewers produced “near beers” during prohibition (1920-1933). They contained less than one-half of one percent alcohol. Brands included Pablo by Pabst, Famo by Schlitz, Vivo by Miller, Lux-O by Stroh and Bevo by Anheuser-Busch.
•President Harding signed the Willis-Campell Act. It was better known as the anti-beer bill. It prohibited doctors from prescribing beer for medicinal purposes. But wine and spirits were permitted.

1926

Opposition to National Prohibition grew strong. A nationwide poll on prohibition showed that people favored either its modification or repeal by nine to one.

1928

The Association Against the Prohibition Amendment reported that enough hops had been sold during the year to make 20 million barrels of illegal beer. They cited the loss in taxes on these sales as one reason to end Prohibition.

1932

In 1932, brewers sold a total of 86 million gallons of near beer in the U.S.

1933

•Anticipating that the repeal of  National Prohibition would take years, Congress modified the Volstead Act with the Cullen-Harrison Act. That permitted the sale of beer and wine with 3.2% alcohol. The intent was to increase employment and tax revenue quickly. It became effective on April 7, 1933. This was another major event in the history of beer in the 20th century. April 7 is now National Beer Day.
•By June, thirty-one breweries were back in operation.

1930s

•British beer drinkers favored mild ale and bitter.
•Home consumption of beer increased in the U.S. with the arrival of the beer can. Also from the popularity of home refrigerators.

1934

A total of 756 brewers back in operation after Repeal..

1935

•Beer was first sold in cans.
•Schlitz introduced cone top cans.

1940

•Until 1940, most drinking in the Netherlands took place in pubs. Then, drinking at home became common.
•Beer production reached pre-prohibition levels. But there were half the number of breweries in operation as in 1910.
•The barrel tax in the U.S. was raised from $5.00 to $6.00.

1943

The U.S. required brewers to allocate 15% of their production for military use.

1944

The U.S. raised the barrel tax from $6.00 to $8.00.

1950s

German brewer Max Heinrich developed Zambia’s Chibuku Beer.

1950

There were 407 breweries in operation in the U.S.

1951

The U.S. raised the barrel to $9.00.

1953

New Zealander Morton W. Coutts developed the technique of continuous fermentation. With his process, beer never comes into contact with the atmosphere until the bottle is opened.

1954

Schlitz introduced the first l6 ounce can of beer.

1959

Cone top beer cans were introduced.

1960

Coors introduced aluminum beer cans.

1960-1990s

Lager began to become the dominant style of beer in the U.S. It achieved that by the 1990s.

1961

There were 230 breweries in operation. Of these, 140 were independently owned.

1962

The Pittsburgh Brewing Company introduced the tab top beer can.

1964

Metal kegs were introduced in Germany.

1965

The “ring pull” beer can introduced.

1966

Budweiser was the first brand to sell 10 million barrels in a year.

1969

Canned beer outsold bottled beer for the first time in the U.S.

1977

President Jimmy Carter’s brother introduced his Billy Beer.

1978

•The U.S. legalized home brewing of beer for the first time since before National Prohibition began in 1920. Up to 200 gallons per household could be produced tax-free. But individual states and localities could make it illegal.
•The American Homebrewers Association was formed. This reflected the growing popularity of home brewing. It’s one of the major trends in the history of beer in the 20th century.

1981

First Great American Beer Festival (GABF) was held in Colorado. It’s now the oldest and largest beer tasting and competition in the U.S.

1982

•The first legal brew pub in the U.S. opened. A brew pub sells its beer and food. Doing so had been illegal since 1920. Another milestone of beer in the 20th century.
•Budweiser introduced Bud Light beer

1983

•At the beginning of the year, 51 brewing concerns were operated a total of 80 breweries. This was the low point for U.S. breweries in the 20th century.
•The largest six breweries (Anheuser-Busch, Miller, Heileman, Stroh, Coors, and Pabst) brewed 92% of U. S. beer production.

1984

There were 44 brewing companies operating 83 breweries.

1989

•Asahi Super Dry beer was introduced in Japan.
• The UK passed the Beer Orders. Their purpose was to end the system of “tied houses” operated by large brewers.
• Iceland lifted its ban on the production or importation of beer. It had existed for almost eighty years.15

1991

Brewers in the U.S. produced 20% of the world beer volume.

1992

The Wife Carrying Contest was revived and modified in Finland. It’s based on an old tradition. Ronkainen the Robber tested prospective members of his gang by having them carry heavy sacks on their backs through an obstacle course. In the new contest, the winners receive cash prizes and their wife’s weight in beer.

1993

In Germany the Reinheitsgebot law of 1516 was relaxed to allow foreign brewers to sell their beer in Germany.

1994

The U.S. made it legal to put the alcohol content of beer on containers.

1995

Belgium-based Interbrew bought Labatts of Canada. Consolidation has been a major feature in the story of beer in the 20th century.

1996

Tutankhamun Ale was brewed. It was a replica of ancient Egyptian beer. It was brewed from emmer wheat, an early form of the grain.

Beer in the 21st Century.

2002

South African Breweries (SAB) bought Miller Brewing Company.

2004

Belgium’s Interbrew and Brazil’s largest brewer, AmBev, merged to form InBev.

2005

Finnish brewery Laitilan made the first gluten-free beer. It was also the first beer to have the international gluten-free product trademark.

2008

•Belgian brewing company InBev bought Anheuser-Busch. That created the world’s biggest brewer.
•Budweiser announced that its beer would be sold in Vietnam.
•Scottish & Newcastle, the UK’s largest brewer, was bought by Carlsberg and Heineken.

2009

•A Muslim woman in Malasia was sentenced to six lashes and a large fine. It was for having a beer in a nightclub. A civil judge upheld the sentence. The chief Shariah judge also upheld it.
•Utah permitted customers to enter a bar. They could do so without filling out applications. And without paying a fee to become a member of a “private club.”

2011

•In Germany, a Berlin state court ordered breweries to stop advertising beer as something good for peoples’ looks and health.
•SABMiller sold the world’s first commercially produced cassava beer. It’s brewed in Mozambique.

2013

•China produced over 25% of the beer brewed in the world.
•British retailer Marks & Spencer was criticized for letting Muslim staff refuse to sell customers pork and alcohol.
•Alabama lifted the threat of prosecution for making beer at home. Home brewing remained illegal in the state’s dry counties.
•In Mississippi, it became legal to make beer at home. Home brewing remained illegal in the state’s dry counties
•Islamic police in Nigeria shouted “God is great” as 240,000 bottles of beer were destroyed. It’s banned under Shariah law.

2014

•In England, the House of Commons voted to change the 400-year-old “beer tie.” In this system, pub owners buy alcohol exclusively from their parent company in return for lower rent.
•The Craft Beer Revolution: How a Band of Microbrewers Is Transforming the World’s Favorite Drink was published.
•The Boston Beer Co. withdrew its sponsorship of Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade because organizers excluded gay groups.

2015

Anheuser-Busch InBev bought its nearest rival, SABMiller. The combined company is headquartered in Belgium.

Books on History of Beer During the Period

Bamforth, C. Brewmaster’s Art: the History and Science of Beermaking. Prince Frederick, MD : Record Books.

Baum, D. Coors: How One Family Created a Beer Making Dynasty While Trying to Remake the Modern World. NY: Morrow.

Burnett, J. Liquid Pleasures: a Social History of Drinks in Modern Britain. London: Routledge. (17th century to present.)
Coutts, I. Brew North: How Canadians Made Beer & Beer Made Canada. Vancouver: Greystone.

Dombusch, H. Prost!: the Story of German Beer. Boulder, CO: Siris.

Donaldson, M. Beer Nation: the Art & Heart of Kiwi Beer. Auckland: Penguin.

Knoedelseder, W. Bitter Brew: the Rise and Fall of Anheuser-Busch and America’s Kings of Beer. N Y: Harper.

Lender, M., and Martin, J. Drinking in America: a History. NY: Free Press.

Willis, J. Potent Brews: a Social History of Alcohol in East Africa, 1850-1999. Athens: Ohio U Press.

Long Before the History of Beer in the 20th Century.

Visit earlier periods in the history of beer to learn about its long past and development. It covers thousands of years and goes back to pre-history. It’s an amazing story that continues today.