Written by Today is a celebration of beer, but more specifically, it’s a celebration of a very specific day back in 1933 when beer became legal again after America’s nearly 14 year flop of an experiment in alcohol prohibition. In March of that year, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison Act into law, which allowed the brewing and selling of beer once more as long as the alcohol content was less than 3.2%. The law went into effect on April 7th so a new celebration was born. This day is only about beer though, as it wasn’t until nearly the end of that year on December 5th, that prohibition finally ended and drinking alcohol returned to not being cool anymore.
Back when my father was alive, he collected German beer steins. My sister lived in Germany for a number of years when her husband was stationed there in the Army. After my dad received a few German ones, we all realized we finally had something to get the man for his birthday, so a new collection was born. Soon German-esque steins were added to his ever-expanding collection, making it hard to know which were authentically German and which had been made in Brazil and delivered by the Avon lady. But he didn’t seem to mind. Like all collections others start for you, the objects rapidly just turn into little symbolic trophies to remind you that you’re loved.
Though I’m mainly a wine drinker, I do enjoy a good beer every now and then when the weather gets warmer. By good, I mean beer with a little more power than those allowed back in the 1930’s. I guess, in the end, I just prefer a great craft beer that drinks like a wine, so I should probably just stick to wine anyway. I’ve never had the experience of actually drinking a beer out of a stein, but I always imagined it might taste better that way. Come to think of it, I’m not sure my dad ever did either. But if beer is your thing, then this is the day for you! So grab a cold one, kick back and enjoy!
Join me any and all days you like during April by celebrating a National or International Day with a doodlewash! Tag your image #doodlewashaday and I’ll feature everyone who played along on doodlewash.com at the end of the month!
About the Doodlewash
M. Graham watercolors: Quinacridone Gold, Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Teal, Permanent Pale Green, Azo Orange, Pyrrol Red, Neutral Tint, and Titanium White gouache. Sennelier L’Aquarelle: Opera Rose. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal
VERY cool!!! Salut!!! 🙂
Aww thanks so much Eric!! Cheers my friend! 😃
“little symbolic trophies to remind you that you’re loved” – what a very sweet thing to write.
And the beer portrait is pretty cool, Charlie.
Thanks Sharon! 😃💕So happy you liked the writing as well. I really appreciate that!
Cheers with wine! Beautiful doodlewash of the stein. 🙂
Thanks Jodi! 😃💕 I actually had a beer to celebrate, only to be reminded of how much I prefer wine! Lol
I hear ya!
Skol!!!!!
Clink!! Thanks Judy!! 😉💕
I love the decoration and letterinng – beautifully executed! I didn’t even know they were called steins, so I’ve learnt something new today… after looking them up I think I’d expect it to taste a heck of lot better (though perhaps not one which is a giant boot… just lol, really). I raise my hot chocolate to those celebrating Beer Day!
Aww thanks Jacob! Half way in I was thinking… why the hell did I choose a stein with a full illustration on it! 😊hehe… Ohhhhh you NEED the giant boot to drink your hot chocolate…. it would complete the picture beautifully (assuming you also put up the man bun, of course).
Haha oh my, that’d be a lot of hot chocolate! I am drinking more right now, so perhaps I need one. I’d be singing ‘Everyone’s A Winner’ after downing that lot, for sure.
No man bun sadly 😉
Can there ever be too much hot chocolate?! 😉
Fair point – I’d like to do a thorough investigation into this. Lab coat and goggles on! (Standard practice when I’m in the kitchen)
Lol… take pics!!
I’ve always loved a cold beer on a hot summer day. You stein doodlewash is awesome.
Thanks so much Sharon! 😃💕 I agree… the warmer day the better the beer!!
So that’s where 3.2 beer came from! That’s what the younger set was allowed to drink in Maryland when I was in high school. At least I think we were allowed to drink it…well we did. (K)
Oh yeah! I guess it did! At 3.2, it shouldn’t even be considered alcohol so don’t see a problem with drinking it! lol Cheers, Kerfe! 😃💕
Cheers!
I really love the way you did the shadow behind the stein! <3 My FIL had 3 steins (not sure why 3…I don't know that hubby even knows how his dad got them, though they have a lot of German blood on that side of the family) so when he died, we took one of the steins and let hubby's brother take 2 (one is more than we really needed). 😀 We have stein-like glasses which hubby occasionally uses but we don't trust the paint on the old stein to not have lead. LOL!
Thanks so much Teresa! 😃💕I wasn’t sure about the shadow… didn’t know whether I liked it or wished it wasn’t there. Hehe And that’s so cool on the steins! Yeah… I would seriously wonder about the paint on the oldest ones. They probably make better display pieces than drinkware! LOL
That’s what we figured, too! Goodness knows I don’t need more lead in my system. 😉
Cheers Charlie! Awesome.
Thanks so much Susan! 😃💕Cheers to you! Loved your rendition! Who could skip this day? This was a fun day to actually celebrate! Though I only had one 😊Hehe
Wow! Love the little flower details on your stein, Charlie! 🌺 There is nothing like a cold brew on a hot summer day! Cheers Friend! 🍺😄🌈
Thanks Jill! 😃💕I figured something with a little more color than just beer and glass might be fun (then realized it was stupidly difficult to pull off! lol). Cheers to a summer brew!! Hehe
That is a wonderful painting and love the shadow/reflection. Love the story also. I’m with you on the wine even I’m from the beer capital in Wisconsin.
Thanks Teri! 😃💕Glad you liked this! Yeah… when I was young I liked beer, but as I get older, a civil glass of wine seems the best! hehe
I’m with you Charlie, a glass of good red melting in the mouth!! delicious! but, a lovely ice cold beer on a hot day might be nice too. Love how you painted the stein, especially the handle area with all of its twists and turns! fantastic 🙂
Thanks Debi!! 😃💕Yeah… on a really hot day, I’m in for a beer, but even then will prefer wine. A cold glass of champagne!! 😊hehe… which always feels celebratory. Since I celebrate every day, it’s all good. Lol
love your attitude Charlie!! perfect 🙂 may we all, celebrate Every day right along with you !
Great Post
Thanks so much! 😃
Loving the reflection Charlie, all that intricate design on the stein, a very bold choice. Loved reading about the history and your papas collection.
Awww thanks Rebecca! 😃💕It was super bold! I thought I was going to go nuts trying to get this one to turn out like something! Lol Can you liked the story as well!
I have been to busy to comment this month so far, but what a fun series you have chosen! Funny beer stein! We do not possess a German beer stein in the family, btw, (but proper beer glasses at least…..)
No worries, Kathrin! Thanks! 😃💕Hope all is going great with you! And cool… proper beer glasses are essential! hehe
I’m never been one to enjoy beer, unless it’s like Guinness…thick and less carbonated. I suppose those are ales and not beer. Lol.. Does your mom have all the stein collection? There are so many beautiful ones I’ve seen.. Your doodlewash is pretty cool!
Thanks Kari! 😃💕 I love Guiness as well! And yep… the steins were inherited by my mother who still have a couple of my childhoood collections. 😊hehe
Always beautiful Charlie I love your Beer Stein with the pretty flowers! <3 I used to collect beer glasses because I loved the beautiful designs and Beer brands names printed in gold I also had some original German Steins. 😉 I joined you today with Draw a Picture of a Bird Day here is my Doodlewash I hope you like it! <3 😉
https://yesterdayafter.com/2016/04/08/april-celebration-today-is-draw-a-picture-of-a-bird-day/
Awww thanks, Carolina!! 😃💕 And yay!! You played and it’s gorgeous!! And I have ya down on my side, but be sure to add your link into the comments here at Method Two Madness so Kerfe and Nina can include you in their Draw A Bird day post!!
https://methodtwomadness.wordpress.com/2016/04/08/cardinals-draw-a-bird-day/
Oh that’s wonderful! Thank you Charlie for your great feedback it make me really happy! And thanks for reminding me about Kerfe and Nina I’ll go there soon! <3
Awesome! 😃