National Beer Day 2022: Where To Grab A Pint In Palo Alto

PALO ALTO, CA — Thursdays are always “thirsty,” but this Thursday is National Beer Day. The unofficial holiday is observed every April 7 to commemorate the signing of the Cullen-Harrison Act in 1933, which eased Prohibition-era restrictions and permitted the manufacture of beer with up to 3.2% alcohol by weight.

Nine months later on December 5, Congress passed the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, which repealed Prohibition altogether.

In anticipation of the bill’s signing, people across the country gathered outside breweries. THe following day, April 7, 1.5 million barrels of beer were consumed. Upon signing the legislation, President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said, “I think this would be a good time for a beer.”

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.

In recent decades, craft beer has become a popular choice for Californians.

Although craft beer's presence continues to grow, it still hasn't quite cracked the top five in popularity. According to a survey by the marketing and analytics company Top Agency, large brands like Budweiser and Heineken still remain the most popular choices among beer aficionados.

Top Agency surveys showed the most popular beer in California is Budweiser in this top 5 list, however Patch aims to show you the top 60 craft beer brewers across the golden state, below.

Top 5 Most Popular Beers In California

1. Budweiser
2. Bud Light
3. Heineken
4. Guiness
5. Sierra Nevada

What Are California's Favorite Craft Beer Labels?

Though the Golden State is known for its wine and wineries, craft brewing is on the upswing from the verdant fields of Napa to the sprawling Temecula Valley.

In Northern California, Davis area brewer Sudwerk Brewing Co. was named California's 2021 Champion Brewery of 2021, for large craft brewing of over 5,001 barrels a year. The more intimate establishment, Anaheim's Radiant Beer Company, also earned top nods for brewers between 0 and 250 barrels.

In the same vein, Southern California's regional craft brewing award winners included Temecula Valley's Refuge Brewery. The small craft brewer earned top honors in Temecula, winning the 2021 Golden Tap Brewery of the Year award, Visit Temecula Valley reports.

Across California, local craft breweries took home 60 medals at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival awards, the largest competition to date, as reported by California Craft Brewing Association.

Thursday is going to be a scorcher in Palo Alto, so what better way to cool down than to hit up one of its many craft breweries? We’ve compiled a list below of local breweries and restaurants. Enjoy responsibly, and pair your beer with plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

• San Agus Cocina Urbana & Cocktails, Palo Alto
• The Rose & Crown, Palo Alto
• Hidden Tap & Barrel, Palo Alto
• Freewheel Brewing Company, Redwood City
• Ghostwood Beer Company, Redwood City
• Fairchilds Public House, Mountain View

But there are many breweries outside Palo Alto as well. Here’s a map of all breweries certified by the California Craft Beer Association.