The history of beer in the United States is well-documented up through the mid-20th century, when something of a brewing renaissance took place. Instead of drinking well-known, mass-produced beers, Americans began opting for craft or home brews. The shift led to new tastes, styles and techniques, but so far, has been relatively unstudied by historians. Last year, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History indicated its intentions to fill that hole in academic knowledge and posted a “beer historian” position that garnered national headlines. Kojo talks to the woman who landed the position about beer’s role in both regional and American history.

Guests

  • Theresa McCulla Brewing Historian, The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History; @theresamccu

Slideshow: Beer History Artifacts At The Smithsonian

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Colorimeter, circa 1890-1900, used to compare color of beer samples to range of malt beverages. Walter H. Voigt Collection. National Museum of American History, Division of Work and Industry.

Budweiser Archives (1)

Advertisement for Budweiser beer, Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis, Mo. Warshaw Collection of Business Americana, Series: Beer. National Museum of American History, Archives Center.

American Brewery sign

Bauernschmidts American Brewery Sign, Baltimore, circa 1899-1919. Walter H. Voigt Collection. National Museum of American History, Division of Work and Industry

Make Your Own Beer ad

Make Your Own Beer at Home, Advertisement for malt extract, circa 1900. Warshaw Collection of Business Americana, Series: Beer. National Museum of American History, Archives Center.

Hamm’s Can 1993.0393.028

Hamm’s Draft Beer Can. National Museum of American History, Division of Work and Industry.

Hamm’s 2001.0211.01

Bar sign, Hamm’s Beer. National Museum of American History, Division of Work and Industry.

Geo Gunther sign

Tavern Sign, George Gunther’s Extra Lager Beer, Baltimore, 1890. Walter H. Voigt Collection. National Museum of American History, Division of Work and Industry.

F A Poth Brewing Co Philly Archives (1)

Fermenting room, Souvenir album, F.A. Poth Brewing Company, Philadelphia, Pa. Warshaw Collection of Business Americana, Series: Beer. National Museum of American History, Archives Center.

Cerveza Dos Equis tray 2001.0211.04

Beer Tray, Cerveza Dos Equis. National Museum of American History, Division of Work and Industry.

Beer Can

American beer can with handle, circa 1933-1950. Walter H. Voigt Collection National Museum of American History, Division of Work and Industry.

Ballantine Inn

Souvenir booklet, Ballantine Inn, New York World’s Fair, 1940. Warshaw Collection of Business Americana, Series: Beer. National Museum of American History, Archives Center.

Beer Drivers Union-JN2014-3515.jpg (1)

Colorimeter, circa 1890-1900, used to compare color of beer samples to range of malt beverages. Walter H. Voigt Collection National Museum of American History, Division of Work and Industry.

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