7 Famous American Beer Lovers

Beer isn’t just a beverage, it’s a cultural cornerstone of the United States. And with the Fourth of July right around the corner, we thought it was time to recognize seven famous Americans who loved beer as much as we do.

Benjamin Franklin

One of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin, was an avid beer lover. He is often (if incorrectly) credited with the quote, “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Although he didn’t actually say it, his writings show a great appreciation for beer. Franklin even printed “The Drinker’s Dictionary” in his Pennsylvania Gazette, which listed 228 euphemisms for being drunk. (And we have our own HERE)

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States, was also an avid beer lover. He brewed beer at his Monticello estate in Virginia and was an expert home brewer. Jefferson’s beer recipes are still in use today and are occasionally used by both home brewers and commercial brewers.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, played a crucial role in ending Prohibition. When he signed the Cullen-Harrison Act in 1933, which legalized the sale of beer with an alcohol content of 3.2% by weight (4% by volume), he famously said, “I think this would be a good time for a beer.” This law laid the groundwork for the complete repeal of Prohibition later that year with the 21st Amendment to the Constitution.

Ernest Hemingway

Famous American novelist and short story writer Ernest Hemingway had a well-documented fondness for alcohol, including beer. His works often contain references to beer, and he enjoyed drinking it in various exotic locations around the world. Hemingway’s adventurous lifestyle and love of a good drink have made him an enduring icon of the beer-loving literary world. He also committed suicide, so that’s not all.

Hunter S. Thompson

Another literary legend, Hunter S. Thompson, the founder of Gonzo journalism, was another famous American known for his love of beer. Thompson’s wild and eccentric lifestyle, as described in books such as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, often involved large amounts of alcohol, with beer being a staple in his diet, as well as any drugs that were around. His writing style and personality left a lasting mark on the American counterculture and the world of journalism. And like Hemingway, he too committed suicide.

Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, indirectly contributed to the craft beer revolution in America. In 1978, he signed a law that legalized home brewing, paving the way for the growth of the craft beer industry. This law allowed thousands of beer lovers to experiment with home brewing, leading to the explosion of microbreweries and the variety of beer available today.

Bill Clinton

The 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, is known for his love of beer (among other things). Although his beer drinking is not as legendary as his womanizing, Clinton’s penchant for a cold brew has been noted at various social events throughout his career, reflecting the beverage’s wide popularity in various parts of American society.

The love of beer obviously transcends time, politics, literature and social status and unites people from all walks of life. And that’s what we’re all about at American Craft Beer.

So, on the approaching Independence Day, let us raise a glass to these lovers of good American beer who, in their own way, have contributed to the rich diversity of beer culture in the USA.