"prohibition" news and stories

If you are enjoying a nice, frosty glass of beer today, take a moment to recognize the historical significance of April 7. It was 75 years ago today Americans were allowed to buy and sell beer, again.

It's the 75th anniversary of the Cullen-Harrison Act, which legalized the sale of 3.2% alcohol in the district of Columbia and the 20 other states that didn't specifically ban it. Even though Prohibition didn't fully come to an end until December 5, 1933, the beginning of the end was April 7.

There are commemorative events going on at many breweries today, especially Anheuser-Busch, which was the first major brewery back in business. You can listen to the radio address of August Busch, Jr on that historic day here. See how you can celebrate in your area, as well as other important dates in beer history here and maybe raise a glass tonight.

[Via Beer Advocate]

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Here on Slashfood we celebrate all things having do with food and drink. However, if on this day in 1933, Utah had chosen not to ratify the 21st Amendment, we'd have far less to write about. That's because the 21st Amendment repealed the Volstead Act (aka the 18th Amendment) which prohibited the manufacture, transportation and sale of alcohol. Ah Prohibition, you were a dark and nasty period of history (well, so I've heard).

Thanks to Utah and the 21st Amendment, for the last 74 years, Americans have had the right to drink a beer with friends, have a glass of wine with dinner or even get rip roaring drunk every Saturday night. If you want to learn more about Prohibition and Repeal Day, check out this website that gives a nice summary of the history. And raise your glass, in appreciation of the fact that you can.

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It's official. New York City has become the first in the nation to ban the use trans-fats at restaurants. The members of the Board of Health voted unanimously for the ban and heath advocates are already applauding the decision. Restaurants will have until July 2007 to switch to trans-fat free frying oils - meaning that all french fries in the city, as well as other fried foods will have to be trans-fat free by that time - and will have until July 2008 to remove all trans-fats from their food.

Trans-fats, which have been called "chemical abominations" by some health officials, are known to raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol, changes which can contribute to an increased risk of heart disease. According to FDA estimates, "the average American eats 4.7 pounds of trans fats each year" in spite of the reductions that food processors have made with their use. They are favored in the restaurant and food processing industries because they are easy to work with, have a long shelf life and can increase the shelf life of foods that use them.

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Prohibition - what was all that about then?

Although fully repealled on the 5th December 1933 an amendment to the Prohibition laws legalised beer starting on April the 7th of the same year. It only applied to beer with 3.2% alcohol by weight (4% by volume). So from that April America's brewers were legal for a full eight months before wine and spirits were legitimatly sold. The first public delivery actually went to Roosevelt in the White House who had won the presidency in part due to his support of Prohibition repeal.

To celebrate repeal brewers across the country will be host Brew Years Eve parties on April 7 all detailed on the Brewers Association Beertown website.

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