It’s that time of year again. A time when people all over the U.S. can come together in harmony to celebrate something so sacred and meaningful to American life and culture that it renders meaningless whatever issues might typically divide us.
Yes, tomorrow is National Beer Day.
Celebrated since 2009, National Beer Day has become a time when all Americans can raise a glass to the sudsy treat known as beer. Beer is one of the world’s oldest prepared beverages, dating possibly as far back as 9500 BC, and it is recorded in the written history of ancient Iraq and ancient Egypt. National Beer Day is tied closely to when President Franklin Roosevelt took the first step toward ending Prohibition in the U.S. by signing the Cullen-Harrison Act, which allowed for sales of low-alcohol beer and went into effect on April 7, 1933. Upon signing the legislation President Roosevelt famously said, “I think this would be a good time for a beer.”
Today Americans drink more beer than they do wine or spirits, and according to the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), 80 percent of all convenience stores sell beer, accounting for more than 30 percent of all beer purchased in the United States.
We’ve also seen many convenience stores offering wider selections of beer—especially craft beer. Kent Couch’s Stop and Go Shell in Bend, Oregon, features a large beer cave as well as a growler station with nearly 40 different options on tap. Kum & Go has also added growler stations to their new stores in Iowa, and they include selections from local breweries.
We know GasBuddy users love beer (but of course, never when they’re driving) so to celebrate National Beer Day we conducted a survey to find out more about their relationship with the beloved brewski. Not surprisingly, the trend toward craft beer at convenience stores is reflected in the results.
Survey Results
- 67% of GasBuddy users drink beer
- 54% drink craft beer
- 49% drink light beer
- 30% of GasBuddy users purchase their beer at a convenience store.
- Light beer drinkers were slightly more likely to purchase their beer at a convenience store (33%)
We hope you enjoy National Beer Day. Please drink responsibly and NEVER drink and drive.
