April 7 is National Beer Day. The brewing of beer has a long history in South Dakota. When the first brewery opened in 1866, many Germans and other Europeans were settling the Northern Plains. They began growing crops and brought their knowledge of turning grains into ale. Brewing was a cultural tradition that brought people together socially and made the water safe to drink. Until the early 20th Century, South Dakota experienced a boom in the brewing industry. Breweries boosted local economies and created demand for crops such as barley.
Not everyone viewed breweries as a positive addition to society. The Temperance Movement pushed for state legislation that would inhibit production. The final blow came in 1920 when National Prohibition went into effect, forcing most breweries to close for good. With today鈥檚 resurgence of the craft beer industry, South Dakota鈥檚 brewing tradition carries on.