If there is anything to be said about us, it is that we treat every day like a beer themed holiday. We love coming home for the holidays and spending time with family as much as the next person, but we might love beer more.
Calendar of Beer Themed Holidays
All jokes aside, a passion for beer means we need don’t need a good excuse to drink it. But if you want one, or two or three or more, we have exciting news for you! As a cultural staple here in the United States and all around the world, beer is a drink rich with history. That means we have an entire calendar full of beer themed holidays to celebrate that history…beer in hand.
You know…just in case you need an excuse to enjoy a beer with friends.
JANUARY
Third Saturday of January – Jan 20, 2024 – Baltic Porter Day
Dry January be gone. Start your beer calendar celebrations with a baltic porter. Getting its start in Sweden’s Baltic region, these hoppy, dark beers are smooth and flavorful. Grab a pint and celebrate Baltic Porter Day!
January 24, National Beer Can Appreciation Day
A brewer in Montana had an idea in the early 20th century, but it wasn’t until 1935 when a brewer in Richmond, Virginia, made this idea a reality. Crack open a can and appreciate the convenience!
Canning Line in Action
Ever wondered how your favorite beer got into the can?
FEBRUARY
February, Stout Month
If you can’t wait for Stout Day in November, don’t! You can have your stouts the entire month of February when many craft breweries focus their talented efforts on releasing stouts all month long.
Second Sunday in February – Feb 11, 2024 – Superbowl Sunday
It is no secret that beer is a well loved football-watching beverage, so run out and get some craft brews for the big game!
February 14, Valentine’s Day
Who needs flowers when you have a damn fine beer? Cracking open a special beer for your love is just something you should do on this holiday filled with love.
Valentine’s Day Beers
Find some unique beers to celebrate your love this season.
February 24, World Bartender (Beertender) Day
Started during the pandemic, February 24th is a day to appreciate (and tip) your local beertender! They work hard to get you the beers you love. Tip them all year long, but on this day, give them a bit more.
MARCH
March 8, International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day
Coinciding with International Women’s Day – a collective effort of all who care about human rights – March 8th is the day to celebrate women who make the beer you drink possible! This beer themed holiday is a craft beer calendar must.
March 17, St. Patrick’s Day
As a family of Irish descent, this is the day to celebrate heritage and drink beer! And no, we don’t mean green beer. Think stouts or Irish Red Ales, instead. Want to know more about St. Paddy? Head on over here to learn more.
Late March – held March 26, 2023 – 2024 TBD – Orval International Day
Orval is a Belgian Trappist beer brewed by monks in Belgium. This is the day to celebrate the fine flavors of Belgium. Head on over to The Belgian Beer Company to find a beer to get your celebrations started.
Camp Carpe Diem
Presented by Hammock Universe
Like to travel? Want community on the road How about craft beer and campfire time? Join us at the coolest adult camp ever! (Use code STOUTFRENZ10 for $10 off each ticket.)
APRIL
April 7, National Beer Day
Thanks to Franklin D. Roosevelt, on April 7th, 1933, prohibition was over. He then told the country, “I think this would be a good time to have a beer.” (Time) Maybe the President today, should do the same thing.
April 17, 2024 – Saison Day
Spring is here and so are the saisons. Enjoy this earthy, oftentimes fruity and funky beer to ring in all that is new again. And if anyone cares, this is my favorite style. Just so you know what to buy me when we meet up.
April 23, 2024 – German Beer Day
Are we in Germany? Not Currently. Are we going to celebrate with one of the nations that is responsible for our favorite beverage? Yes. Yes, we are! Prost!
MAY
May 7, National Homebrew Day
We’ve always said beer is more about community than the beer itself, and nothing holds more true than this when you gather together with friends to brew your own beer. Even Congress thinks so. In 1988, Congress declared May 7 as National Homebrew Day. Join Congress and get this event on your beer calendar so you can get brewing today!
Mid May – May 13 – 19, 2024 – American Craft Beer Week
Our favorite week of the year. Run around and enjoy your community by trying craft beers in your hometown or wherever you may be! Support your favorites and try new places. You’ve got the entire week. Want some suggestions? We’ve highlighted several craft breweries during previous American Craft Beer Week. Check out our podcast to listen.
Find a brewery you love!
Check out our map of breweries to get you to the beer for American Craft Beer Week.
JUNE
June 14, National Bourbon Day
Bourbon? On the beer list? We can’t always just drink beer. But just like beer, bourbon isn’t about the bourbon. It’s about bringing people together. Click here to read more on our take on bourbon (and beer). And if you are one that only drinks beer, then this is the day for some bourbon barrel aged beers.
June 15, Beer Day Britain
Again, are we in Britain? Currently no. Will we use this day to drink beer? Absolutely. Find yourself a local pub, grab a cask ale, and drink along with us.
JULY
July 4, Independence Day
The fourth of July is a notorious drinking day all around the country, and there is no better drink to be had than a cold beer. And yes, there are many light craft beers out there. Try a session IPA or a fruity saison to get you started.
July 7, National Dive Bar Day
Sometimes you just need to pull up a chair to a bar and order a drink without much thought. Those are times when you need a dive bar. And this is the day to celebrate your favorites. Craft beer, PBR, or a cheap mixed drink, come hang with the locals.
Take a Dive!
Check out a few of our favorite dive bars across the country.
AUGUST
First Thursday in August – Aug 1, 2024 – National IPA Day
IPAs have come a long way from their supposed journey across the seas with hops added to preserve their longevity. Today they are one of the most beloved style of beers by millions, including our very own Ken. So grab your favorite hoppy West Coast style or a juicy hazy style to celebrate this beer themed holiday.
First Friday in August – Aug 2, 2024 – International Beer Day
Craft beer is an international pleasure, so of course there is an international craft beer themed holiday. Whether you’re in Colombia, Mexico, England, Thailand, or at home on your couch, gather some friends and crack open a beer you’ve never tried before. This is another must on your craft beer calendar.
Explore Medellín
Want to go international for International Beer Day? Why not Colombia?
SEPTEMBER
September 7, National Beer Lover’s Day
Beer wouldn’t be here if we weren’t here to drink it! This one’s for us! Get out there and support your local breweries with a pint or two of craft beer.
Second to last Sat in September – Sept 21, 2024 – Oktoberfest begins
Keep an eye out for the German beer festivities wherever you are! There are many across the globe starting in September and often running through October.
Grab the Lederhosen!
Why is Oktoberfest such a big party? A wedding of course.
September 27, National Crush a Can Day
Recycling reduces waste, lowers carbon emissions, and saves money. So, toss back a can of your favorite craft beer, but make sure you put it in the recycling bin when you’re done. (And wish April a very happy birthday while doing so!)
September 28, National Drink Beer Day
This beer themed holiday dates back to the early 1900s, and since we were going to drink a beer today anyway, now there’s a holiday to drink to!
OCTOBER
First Friday of October – Oct 4, 2024 – Barrel Aged Beer Day
Barrels have held precious beer for months and years waiting for this exact moment. Aged to perfection, this (or any other day) is the day to enjoy a barrel-aged beer. Never had one? The flavors reflect the barrels the beers are aged in, so each barrel-aged beer has its own unique characteristics.
October 9, Beer & Pizza Day
Beer and pizza go together like birds and feathers, sand and beaches, camping and campfires. You get the picture. And if you want to know more about pairing beer with food, click here. We’ll give you real-world advice.
October 10, Black Brewer’s Day
October 10 is a day dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the rich heritage and contributions of Black beer brewers throughout American history. Visit National Black Brewers Association for a directory of Black-Owned Breweries.
Brewers unite for social justice.
We wanted to know more about the Black is Beautiful Initiative, so we gathered a panel.
October 27, National American Beer Day
Celebrate the drink you love in the place you live. Find a brewery in your hometown and meet the community! Maybe even find your way to the oldest, still-standing brewery from before the Prohibition still around today – Yuengling Brewery in Pennsylvania.
NOVEMBER
First Saturday in November – Nov 2, 2024 – Learn to Homebrew Day
The American Homebrewers Association initiated this beer themed holiday to provide resources for and to build community around the joy of homebrewing. Find a supply shop or brewery near you and take a class with some beer lovers! Brewing is almost as fun as drinking.
What will you brew?
All you have to do is start. Learn how to brew small batches of great beer!
The First Thursday of November – Nov 7, 2024 – International Stout Day
If an entire month of stouts in February wasn’t enough, then you’re in luck. November 4 is the perfect day to start your celebrations of the upcoming holiday season with a robust stout. Plus, it might just be the perfect drink to either celebrate or drown your sorrows after the sobering moments of election day.
November 12, National Happy Hour Day
It’s always happy hour somewhere when you’re drinking beer with friends, but on November 12th, you might just find more deals than you can handle.
November 17, International Happy Gose Day
This centuries old style of beer deserves some respect. With its origins in Germany, it has defied traditional beer notions with its addition of coriander and tart flavors. Often enjoyed in the summer months, it continues its defiance by having its day in November instead. And by the way, the proper pronunciation is “go-suh.”
DECEMBER
Sunday after Thanksgiving – Dec 1, 2024 – Small Brewery Sunday
With the level of talent and creativity in the brewing community, run out and try something small and new. This is the perfect way to start your holiday shopping while supporting local craft breweries.
How to find a great craft brewery!
New to beer or just want someone to tell you where to find the beer?
December 5, National Repeal Day
While Prohibition was signed away earlier in 1933, it became truly official on this day in 1933 when the 18th amendment was repealed. Thanks to that, we have all the beer, breweries, and beer drinking friends we could ever want!
December 10, National Lager Day
After water and tea, lager comes in as the third most popular beverage in the States. December 10 might just be another day, but it deserves to be celebrated. Whether it’s around a swimming pool or a campfire, find a craft lager near you and enjoy the crispness of one of America’s most popular beverages. Dark lagers are quite good in the chill of winter. Click here for our ales vs lagers cheat sheet if you want to know more about lagers.
December 31, New Year’s Eve
Celebrate the year of beer themed holidays with another holiday and more beer! Instead of ringing in the New Year with a bottle of champagne, share a special bottle of craft beer. Need an idea? Plan ahead and on the third Saturday of January, celebrate with a baltic porter to save specifically for New Years Eve. What a perfect circle of celebrating beer all year long.
Make beer a tradition.
Beer can become a tradition for any holiday. Get started with these ideas.
Happy beer themed holidays!
We know all too well that you don’t need an excuse to drink a good beer, but it never hurts. It is always fun and exciting to celebrate the history and culture that surround us and that’s why beer themed holidays are here to stay.
They help bring us together over beer. And you’ve heard it from us time and again. Beer is about more than just the beer. It’s about the people that come together over the beer. So, the next time you’re heading out for a beer, check the calendar. It might just be a beer themed holiday kinda day!
Cheers!
P.S. There seems to be an infinite amount of beer drinking holidays, drinking holidays, national drinking holidays, international drinking holidays, international craft beer drinking days, and many more words that fit the bill of beer-themed holidays. We did not list them all. However, if you think there is one that is integral to the craft beer calendar of beer themed holidays, let us know. We might just add it to the list.
