United States
American Prohibition
Thirteen years of national prohibition destroyed most of American brewing and its regional diversity; the survivors consolidated around light adjunct lager.
1920-01-17–1933
Why it matters
The discontinuity that the later craft movement was reacting against, and the reason American brewing had to be rebuilt rather than continued.
How well this is established
| Certainty | Documented. Supported by contemporary records that survive and are agreed on. |
|---|---|
| When | 1920–1933. Recorded as a period rather than a date because it happened over time. |
| Where | United States |
Traditions
- American craft brewing — The post-1980 American movement built on intense hop character, reinterpretation of European styles, and rapid categorical change.
Either side of this
← 1914: British beer strength collapses through two wars · 1926: The Hüll programme breeds disease-resistant German hops →
See the whole sequence on the beer history timeline.
Last reviewed 2026-08-16.