National Beer Day: Where To Celebrate Around The Norristown Area

NORRISTOWN, PA — National Beer Day, celebrated every year on April 7, is Wednesday. There are numerous breweries in and around the greater Norristown area that could be good places to mark the day.

Like small restaurants and other family run businesses, local breweries were hit hard during the pandemic. However, they've nearly come through the other side, and with vaccination rates going up and warmer weather coming, the local beer economy should soon be burgeoning once again.

Here's a rundown of some of the top spots in the area to grab a locally-made pint:

• Puddler's Kitchen and Tap by Conshohocken Brewing Co., 3 DeKalb Street, Bridgeport
• Workhorse Brewing Company, 250 King Manor Drive, King of Prussia
• Bald Birds Brewing Co., 970 Rittenhouse Road Suite 400, Audubon
• Conshohocken Brewing Co., 739 E. Elm Street #2301, Conshohocken (Schuylkill River Trail)
• Conshohocken Brewing Co. KOP, 3100 Horizon Drive, King of Prussia

And a brand new Norristown brewery, Von C Brewing, is opening on Stanbridge Street in May.

National Beer Day marks the anniversary of congressional passage in 1933 of the Cullen-Harrison Act, which eased Prohibition-era restrictions and permitted the manufacture of low-alcohol beer and wines. Nine months later, on Dec. 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment repealed Prohibition altogether.

In recent decades, craft beer has become the more popular choice for Americans. Craft breweries in the United States date back to the late 1970s, the first opening shortly after President Jimmy Carter signed legislation that made home-brewing legal in 1978.

Now, craft breweries are opening in communities across America. Small and independent brewing companies accounted for 40 of the top 50 top producing craft brewing companies in 2020 based on beer sales volume, according to the Brewers Association.

Yuengling (1st overall), Artisanal Brewing in Downingtown (8th), and Troegs in Hershey (2oth) are all on the top 50 list.

The year, forever linked with the start of the coronavirus pandemic, brought about a drastic change in where Americans purchase alcohol, Bart Watson, economist for the Brewers Association, said in a statement.