--- title: 6 Fun Facts about the Prohibition of Alcohol in the United States description: Prohibition, also known as the Eighteen Amendment, was a 14-year long period of time in which the purchasing of alcohol was illegal. image: https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/hs-fs/file-10053103-jpg/images/prohibition-ends.jpg --- [![banner](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/hs-fs/banner.png?width=798&height=100&name=banner.png "banner")](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com) # Craft Beer Blog # 6 Fun Facts about the Prohibition of Alcohol in the United States Posted by [Sarah Bedrick](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/author/sarah-bedrick) on Aug 4, 2012 9:34:00 AM Find me on: [Twitter ](http://www.twitter.com/sbedrick) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Prohibition, also known as the Noble Experiement, was a well-known historical period in the United States dating back to the 1920's and lasted for just under 14 years. The points leading up to prohibition were cited to be the increase in people and amount in which people were drinking. New societies developed and encouraged people to use moderation while drinking, however, the movement began to turn to complete prohibition. Prohibition was said to be a time in which regular law-abiding citizens would even break the law. ![prohibition ends](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/hs-fs/file-10053103-jpg/images/prohibition-ends.jpg?width=361&name=prohibition-ends.jpg) ## **1. Consumption of alcohol during prohibition was not illegal.**   That's right - the consumption is not illegal. However, the manufacturing, sale and transportation were illegal making it very difficult to get your hands on some beer and alcohol.   ## **2. July first is known as the "thirsty first"**   The Prohibition Act took effect on June 30th, 1919 - and so July 1st was the first day of a 14 year dry spell.    ## **3. Speakeasy got their names because one would have to whisper a code word for entry**   There were tons of speakeasies all around the US during prohibition. The name was derived because when entering an establishment where alcohol was served, you'd have to whisper the name through a slot in a locked door in order to get admittance. ## ** 4. When FDR signed an amendment to the Volstead Act, he was quoted saying "*I think this would be a good time for a beer*"**   This was an epic quote from FDR at a critical point in time. The day after the New Act was signed, Anheuser-Busch sent a group of Clydesdale horses to the White House to deliver a case of Budweiser beers. ## ** 5. After prohibition, only half of the breweries previously opened reopened**   Prohibition forced many breweries out of business with only 50% of the breweries opening back up. While it took some time for new breweries to pop up, we're now experiencing more breweries than ever before - along with businesses ([drink craft beer](http://drinkcraftbeer.com/) and [beer advocate](http://www.beeradvocate.com)) dedicated to experiencing delicious craft beers. ## ** 6.  Repeal Day hosts recommend enjoying a virgin drink first**   December 5th marks repeal day and was when the 21st Amendment was ratified. On Repeal Day many throw parties where the hosts insist the first drink of the day be a non-alcoholic drink to ensure everybody remembers the dry days of prohibition.   Prohibition, a major part of history, helped to shape our country and its history in many ways. If you'd like to learn more, we highly recommend checking out *[Prohibition](http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/prohibition/)*, a three-part, five-and-a-half-hour documentary film series telling the story of Prohibition, the Eighteenth Amendment. You can learn more about the series directed by Ken Burns [here](http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/prohibition/).   *Sources: [Wikipedia ](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition_in_the_United_States)**[Cocktails.About.Com ](http://cocktails.about.com/od/history/tp/repealday_facts.htm)**[Museum of the American Cocktail](http://cocktails.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=cocktails&cdn=food&tm=338&f=00&su=p284.13.342.ip_p830.16.342.ip_&tt=3&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.museumoftheamericancocktail.org/)* Topics: [prohibition](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/prohibition) ## About this blog I'm passionate about exploring the many styles, flavors, and innovations in beer. I write about everything from the history of beer, to basics of making cocktails, to new breweries to try out and new events to attend.   ![](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_9230.jpg?width=222&name=IMG_9230.jpg "IMG_9230.jpg") ### Recent Posts ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Posts by Topic - [beer tasting (4)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/beer-tasting) - [boston events (4)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/boston-events) - [beer (3)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/beer) - [beer pairing (3)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/beer-pairing) - [beer snob (3)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/beer-snob) - [beer styles (3)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/beer-styles) - [health benefits of beer (3)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/health-benefits-of-beer) - [beer gifts (2)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/beer-gifts) - [beer recipes (2)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/beer-recipes) - [beer summit (2)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/beer-summit) - [beer tastings (2)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/beer-tastings) - [beers (2)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/beers) - [breweries (2)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/breweries) - [infographic (2)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/infographic) - [recipes (2)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/recipes) - [seasonal beer (2)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/seasonal-beer) - [summer drinks (2)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/summer-drinks) - [Beer Party Ideas (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/beer-party-ideas) - [Canadian beers (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/canadian-beers) - [Fruity beers (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/fruity-beers) - [bad beer (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/bad-beer) - [beer and chocolate (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/beer-and-chocolate) - [beer cans (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/beer-cans) - [beer cocktails (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/beer-cocktails) - [beer growler (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/beer-growler) - [beer making kit (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/beer-making-kit) - [beer-garita (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/beer-garita) - [boston beer events (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/boston-beer-events) - [brew (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/brew) - [cask ale (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/cask-ale) - [corona (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/corona) - [girl (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/girl) - [gluten-free beer (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/gluten-free-beer) - [guest post (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/guest-post) - [how to (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/how-to) - [margarita (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/margarita) - [music (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/music) - [pairing (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/pairing) - [prohibition (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/prohibition) - [stouts (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/stouts) - [tequila (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/tequila) - [toasts (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/toasts) - [women (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/women) - [worst beers (1)](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/topic/worst-beers) [see all](https://www.thegirlsguidetobeer.com/beer-blog/bid/119838/6-Fun-Facts-about-the-Prohibition-of-Alcohol-in-the-United-States#)