Murphy – Ahead of National Beer Day on Monday, and as a kickoff to the month-long “Hop into Spring” celebration of all the hoppiness found in North Carolina craft beers, Sunday was N.C. Pint Day.
National Beer Day is celebrated every April 7 as marking the day in 1933 that the Cullen-Harrison Act went into effect, having been signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt the month prior, which led to the repeal of Prohibition.
In its second year of the annual Pint Day event – held on April 6, which is also known as “New Beer’s Eve” due to the repeal anniversary – the N.C. Craft Brewers Guild aims to spotlight local breweries around the state by having participating breweries offer collector’s edition pint glasses.
The glasses, only available at participating breweries, were designed by Raleigh-based artist Juan Marante, known for his iconic and extreme vibrant graphic designs which range from national action sports logos for Fox Racing and Billabong to small brewery can projects for 805 Brewing in California to Curbside OKC, a nonprofit organization that helps people in Oklahoma City transitioning from homelessness.
Marante used the theme “From the Mountains to the Coast,” and the pint features “all the things that make our state great,” according to the guild’s website from a sign reading “We Love WNC”
to the state’s bird, the cardinal, to dogwood flowers, which symbolize the state tree and as the glass turns toward the sandy beaches of the eastern portion of the state, the design embodies the diversity found within the borders.
Buck Bald Brewing Murphy is the closest participating brewery this year. Owner Patrick Keenan said they’re “ready to sell the glasses and celebrate the diversity of the beers, and to help the guild.”
Keenan said the guild acts as an “advocate for brewers in North Carolina with lobbyist action at the state government level.” This is Buck Bald’s second year participating.
Keenan added that the guild has been “more than proactive” in assisting breweries in Asheville devastated by Hurricane Helene.
“They’re working with every level of relief for those brewers, and we’re glad to help raise money for those efforts along with the advocacy they provide for every brewer in the state,” he said.
That advocacy might go overlooked by most who enjoy cold beverages on warm days at their favorite local spot, but these efforts help to “Promote. Protect. And Prepare.”
The guild’s website says they work to “promote the statewide brand N.C. Beer to increase visibility;” “protect the state’s brewing industry with proactive legal advocacy and legislative lobbying;” and “prepare the state’s craft beer industry by facilitating the exchange of knowledge and support among members.”
Readers can also learn about North Carolina’s heady history of brewing, which is chronicled on the website beginning with the state’s first brewery and distillery, in the Moravian town of Bethabara in 1756.
With every pint glass purchased, $1 goes to the guild’s fund for these many efforts, which also include low-cost educational opportunities pertaining to brewing and reliable and adequate resources for those entering the brewing industry.
Pint glass prices vary by location.
Details: Visit drinkncbeer.org/nc-pint-day and buckbaldbrewing.com.