The 53 Most Fun Brewing and Beer Holidays [ 2021 Downloadable Calendar]

As homebrewers, we never need an excuse to enjoy a great beer. Still, I’ll take any excuse I can get! There are a ton of special days throughout the year that are perfectly celebrated with a beer in hand. Here’s a list of our favorite beer-related holidays and a free downloadable Beer and Brewing Holiday Calendar!

January Beer Holidays

January 1, National Hangover Day:

Ring in the first day of the New Year the right way – laying in bed with the blinds closed, hungover and regretting your decisions from the night before! Don’t worry though, you’ll be fine, especially with a little hair of the dog that bit you!

Third Saturday of January, Baltic Porter Day: 

A holiday originating in Poland, Baltic Porter Day celebrates and promotes the Baltic Porter style. Have a pint of this dark lager and celebrate the “Brewers’ Treasure of Poland”!

January 24, National Beer Can Appreciation Day:

Crack open a cold one and appreciate the art and the history behind the beer can you are drinking out of! This holiday celebrates the first day beer was officially sold in cans. The first brewery to produce beer in cans was Kreuger Brewing Company in Richmond, Virginia in 1935. They found success after packaging and selling Kreuger’s Cream Ale and Kruger’s Finest Beer in cans… and the rest is history!

February Beer Holidays

February 2, Groundhog Day:

Has anyone else felt like 2020 and 2021 have been the same day over and over again? Well, at least now we have an official day to celebrate it! Or… you know, we can celebrate if a groundhog named Phil sees his shadow too. Celebrate the impending arrival of spring or crack open a beer and drown in the sorrows of six more weeks of winter!

February 7, Superbowl Sunday:

Root for your favorite football team with a few beers and participate in a long-held sports drinking holiday tradition!

February 14, Valentine’s Day:

Didn’t you know Valentine’s Day is a drinking holiday? Celebrate the holiday of love by kicking back a few with your significant other – or have a few beers on your own for “singles awareness day”!

February 22, National Margarita Day:

Ever heard of a “Coronarita”? Today is the perfect day to enjoy a few of those!

February 24, World Bartender Day:

Give a little appreciation to the people who make a lot of the drinks we drink happen! This holiday is especially important following the past year as the Covid-19 Pandemic has ravaged the service industry, so show your bartenders a little extra love and a cheers today!

March Beer Holidays

March 8, International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day:

 This holiday is for all the women out there in the beer and brewing worlds (and in the world in general, as it falls in conjunction with International Women’s Day)! Whether already involved with the world of beer, or looking to join, this collaborative holiday is the perfect day for all women who are passionate about beer to have a voice and find recognition in an industry and hobby that is particularly male-dominated. Cheers to the innovative and talented women paving the path forward in the world of beer!

March 17, St. Patrick’s Day:

Partake in all things Irish, green, and of course, beer-related on this holiday! Cheers!

March 20, National Bock Beer Day:

Kick bock and relax! Crack open one of the five bock variants (Maibock, Traditional Bock, Eisbock, Doppelbock, and Weizenbock) and celebrate this delicious German lager!

March 20, Orval Day:

Orval Trappist Ale was the first beer brought to the US having been brewed with brettanomyces yeast variety, or “Brett” for short, and is actually brewed at Notre Dame d’Orval Monastery in Belgium before making the long trek across the ocean. A favorite beer of many star American brewers, give it a try and see what you think!

April Beer Holidays

April 6, New Beer’s Eve:

On this day in 1933, people lined up in huge anticipation to have their first legal drink in the United States after 13 years! For most of these holidays, I’ll recommend imbibing, however, today may be a good day to hold off, imagine how Americans felt on this day 88 years earlier, and create your own anticipation prior to tomorrow’s holiday of National Beer Day! Or at least, just wait until midnight!

April 7, National Beer Day:

As Franklin D. Roosevelt said in 1933 upon this day, “I think this would be a good time for a beer.” Every day is a good day for a beer, but today is special as it marks 88 years since beer and other alcoholic drinks were once again legally accessible to American citizens following 13 years during the Prohibition era. So, partake in a few beers and celebrate this ground-breaking day in American history!

April 11, King Gambrinus Day:

This holiday is celebrated to commemorate the life of a real badass, even if he may have never actually existed outside of folk tales. King Gambrinus, referred to as the “King of Beers” and the “Patron Saint of Beer”, had a pretty incredible life learning how to brew from the Egyptian gods Isis and Osiris, out-drinking the devil himself in a bid to win back his soul, and being buried in a beer barrel at the time of his death. I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely down to drink to a pretty amazing person representing brewing and beer throughout human history!

April 17, Saison Day:

Enjoy a fruity, spicy Saison today for Saison Day!

April 23, German Beer Day:

Enjoy a German beer today as we recognize the country that established beer as we know and love it, due to the creation of the Reinheitsgebot regulations, in which water, barley and hops became solely permitted in the brewing of the beverage. Celebrate German Beer Day with a classic, Reinheitsgebot-friendly brew today!

May Beer Holidays

May 5, Cinco De Mayo:

This holiday is celebrated in Mexico and the United States to commemorate the Mexican Army’s victory over the invading French in 1862. In recent years it has become a well-known drinking holiday in the United States, so kick a few back and celebrate Mexico’s perseverance!

May 7, National Homebrew Day:

Today is THE day to brew! Enjoy a few homebrews while brewing up a new batch! The BrewTogether Crew will be brewing today!

May 10-May 16, American Craft Beer Week:

An entire week is dedicated to celebrating the small, independent craft brewers that make the United States brewing industry unique and exceptional. Be sure to support your favorite local craft breweries this week, especially during what has been a difficult year and a half due to the coronavirus pandemic!

May 25, Memorial Day:

Today we raise a glass to those who served valiantly for the United States and did not return home to their families.

June Beer Holidays

June 14, National Bourbon Day:

Every beverage can’t be beer – even if we wish it could be! However, some beverages can pair pretty well with beer, bourbon being one of them. Feel free to enjoy a “Boilermaker” cocktail today!

June 15, Beer Day Britain:

Today is a day in which we show our solidarity with beer lovers across the pond and raise a glass to Britain’s national alcoholic drink, beer! As they say, “cheers to beer”!

July Beer Holidays

July 3, National Independent Beer Run Day:

Celebrate the United States’ independence one day early by drinking beer from small, independent brewers!

July 4, Independence Day (USA):

Cool down the summer heat with a few cold ones alongside some beautiful fireworks lighting up the night sky! Does it get any better? #Murica

July 12, National Michelada Day:

Today is the perfect day to partake in this refreshingly spicy Mexican beer mixed beverage! Enjoy a traditional Michelada or try one of the many Michelada variations made with mango, passion fruit, tamarind, or a smoked chili called merken.

July 18, St. Arnoldus Day:

St. Arnoldus was a patron saint for hop-pickers and Belgian brewers after saving many lives from a plague by advocating for local townsfolk to “drink beer, not water”. So, there you go: today, is the day to drink beer in place of water and not feel guilty about it!

August Beer Holidays

August 5, IPA Day:

This holiday, which traditionally falls on the first Thursday of August each year, is the perfect day to enjoy your favorite IPA! Or even better – use this day to brew with your favorite IPA recipe! Be sure to pass that recipe along to us while you’re at it – we’d love to brew it with you! 😊

August 6, International Beer Day:

Here at BrewTogether, we believe the beer and brewing world can be a place for our mutual passion to be shared amongst one another. International Beer Day is the perfect day around the world for every beer enthusiast, though separated by our locations and differences, to come together to celebrate the thing that makes us a community. Enjoy your favorite beers today and be sure to cheers to the beverage that has brought us together from so many different backgrounds around the world!

September Beer Holidays

September 7, National Beer Lover’s Day:

Today is a day to celebrate yourself! Cheers to you!

September 18, Oktoberfest begins:

Today is the first day of the largest beer festival in the entire world, taking place in Munich, Germany! Don’t worry if you can’t make it all the way to Munich, there are many local Oktoberfest celebrations across the world!

September 20, Sour Beer Day:

Partake in your favorite Sour today! What was once viewed as an unusual style, has now become one of the most popular beer styles around!

September 27, Crush a Can Day:

We, here at BrewTogether, take this holiday to mean two things: to crush a CAN and to CRUSH a can! Crack open a beer, crush that sucker, and then crush the can too! Once you’ve crushed the beer and the can, make sure to recycle it and contribute to a better environment in the US.

September 28, National Drink Beer Day:

We personally believe that every day is “Drink Beer Day”, but hey, if you need a reason to today – here you go! Cheers!

October Beer Holidays

October 1, Barrel Aged Beer Day:

Drink a barrel-aged-beer today and take the time to savor the flavor that that took months, or maybe even years, within a barrel to perfect!

October 3, Last Day of Oktoberfest: Auf Wiedersehen, Oktoberfest!

Cheers until next year!

October 9, Beer & Pizza Day:

IS THERE ANYTHING BETTER THAN THIS COMBINATION?! Enjoy today. Partake in so much beer and so much pizza. This may actually be the best day of the year!

October 14, Homebrewing Legalization Day:

Celebrate 42 years of legal hombrewing in the United States to this day that made it possible! Thanks Jimmy Carter!

October 27, National American Beer Day:

If you are an American who likes beer, then this holiday is for you. Not only indulge in your favorite American beer, but also delve into the rich 434-year history of beer-making that this country has to offer. You won’t regret it!

October 31, Halloween:

Put on a mask and pull on your drinking pants! It’s time to partake in some boos!

November Beer Holidays

November 4, International Stout Day:

The stout, a “strong” flavored beer, is perfect to partake in today. With so many dark, full-bodied stouts that the world has to offer, I doubt you’ll be able to stop at just one. Cheers!

November 6, Learn How to Homebrew Day:

Today’s the day to get your friends and family involved who have always wanted to learn the art of homebrewing, but haven’t given it a try yet. This holiday is special to us, here at BrewTogether, as we believe that brewing with others is just as important as the beer that you are making. Show the ones you love the ropes, or if you are someone who has not brewed yet and are interested in doing so, reach out to someone in the community for a helping hand. We are happy to help over here at BrewTogether, so feel free to contact us and we will do what we can to make your first brewing experience a good one!

November 9, Veterans Day:

To all those who have served, we thank you for your service and raise a glass to you! Make sure you buy a veteran a beer today!

November 12, National Happy Hour Day:

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere – especially today! From 1913, when the practice was invented by the Navy for a morale boost, to 1956 when the practice went mainstream, the idea of heading to your favorite hangout to blow off some steam and have a few drinks has been around for quite some time. Today is the perfect day to celebrate and partake in a few happy hours drinks – enjoy!

November 24 (Day before Thanksgiving), Drinksgiving:

Ahhh, it’s Drinksgiving! The night to celebrate and let loose before the shitshow that is Thanksgiving tomorrow. Enjoy a few at your favorite bar or pub with your old friends to celebrate the fact that you have come officially home for the holidays!

November 25 (last Thursday of November), Thanksgiving:

It’s time to wake up a little hungover, gather around the table, eat A LOT of food with family, and, of course, have a drink! Today not only marks the beginning of the holiday season, but also more time to discuss politics, relationship prospects, and other uncomfortable topics with family members from far and wide. We wish each and every one of you good luck and happy drinking as you make it through today!

November 28, Small Brewery Sunday:

After a difficult 2020 and 2021, small business could really use our help and today is the perfect day to show it. Grab your favorite beers from your favorite local small breweries and show your support for the little guy today!

December Beer Holidays

December 1, Beer Advent Calendar Day:

Hopefully you bought a beer advent calendar before today because this is the day to start your drinking! Enjoy one beer (or a few) each night as you lead up to the Christmas holiday!

December 5, National Repeal Day:

On this day 88 years ago, the infamous 18th Amendment, putting Prohibition into effect, was repealed! Without this repeal, alcohol, and the entire brewing world, would not be as we know it. Cheers to National Repeal Day!

December 10, National Lager Day:

Any lager is a good beverage to drink today, however, we recommend having a few winter lagers to enjoy along with the cooling outdoor temperatures. Cheers!

December 24, Christmas Eve:

Imbibe in some traditional german gluhwein or enjoy a Christmas Ale. Don’t forget to leave Santa a beer that goes well with some spent-grain cookies!

December 25, Christmas:

Not only is today Christmas, but it’s also the day to drink up all of those beers you didn’t get to in your Beer Advent Calendar throughout the month of December. To those who drank their calendar each day in December and stayed up-to-date, good job! To those who fell behind – happy drinking!

December 31, NYE:

Celebrate the last day of the year the right way – drinking and having fun! Make sure to live up to the name of the holiday that falls tomorrow on first day of the new year, National Hangover Day!

Thanks for Reading!

What are your favorite beer holidays? How you you celebrate your favorite beer holidays? Leave a comment below or post in the forums! The BrewTogether Community is made up of an awesome group of homebrewers around the world that are always supportive and happy to help answer your questions!

Thank you for reading! If you like this article, please share it with your friends using the social media share buttons below! We need your help getting the word out about BrewTogether!

If you’re not a member of BrewTogether, we’d love for you to join! BrewTogether is completely free, and signing up is easy! Click here to join! We’d love to have you as a member of the BrewTogether Community!

Now using BrewTogether is easier than ever! Download the FREE BrewTogether Mobile App – available on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store! The BrewTogether App is completely free and drastically improves the experience of using BrewTogether on a mobile device. 

Affiliate Disclosure: BrewTogether is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. BrewTogether is also a participant in an affiliate program with MoreBeer, our favorite online homebrewing equipment/ingredients retailer. Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase after clicking the link, I will earn a  small commission at no additional cost to you. Please feel free to reach out with questions. Thank you for your support!

Related Articles

Responses