Drunk history, indeed

As you’ve probably heard, today is National Beer Day – which ranks right up there with National Food Day, National Water Day and National Oxygen Day, in our book.

It’s not, as some are suggesting, the anniversary of the actual end of Prohibition back in 1933. That officially came on Dec. 5 of that year, which we observe as Repeal Day (clear your calendar now).

Instead, it marks an interim step: the first day that states were allowed to sell limited types of beer (and wine) again after the country went dry in 1920, thanks to the federal Cullen-Harrison Act .

It’s become a holiday, of sorts, through thoroughly modern means – a Facebook page started by some beer enthusiasts in 2009. It all took off from there in today’s branding-crazed times.

There are a couple of important qualifications. One, the Cullen-Harrison act only allowed the sale of beer no stronger than 3.2 percent alcohol by weight (or 4 percent by volume, in the more common current measure).

So if you’re going to celebrate in historically accurate style, make it something sessionable. (In fact, another Facebook group already has declared it Session Beer Day .)

Second, states had to pass their own legislation adopting the federal act, and only 19 had done so by April 7. Washington was among them, but not Idaho.

So sorry, Panhandlers. We won’t be hosting a commemorative pint with you for eight more months.

Slate Creek at Capone’s: Actually, North Idahoans can count their beer blessings this evening when the Slate Creek crew visits Capone’s in Coeur d’Alene from 5 to 7:30 p.m. to kick off their reign as April’s Brewery of the Month. Look for prizes tonight, and every Slate Creek pint purchased during the month earns a raffle ticket toward a custom longboard to be awarded at the end.