This Saturday is the 79th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition, the "noble experiment" that helped create organized crime and perfected disdain for authority in millions of Americans.
Remnants of the repeal of Prohibition still exist. Local taverns like Colesante's on Factory street where the first post Prohibition license in Watertown started the flow of the "Devil's Brew". That license is still posted, I believe.
In Utica, the famed West End Brewery received its permission to sell beer just two hours after FDR signed the repeal and it still operates today. It's representitives will be in Watertown next Wednesday at the Chamber mixer being held at the Tilted Kilt.
A different type of prohibition today, the 21 year old drinking age, also born of unction and sanctimony, is creating its own set of pathologies, including widespread civil disobedience and subtle contempt for authority.
Beer is doing well and many new niche brands are available, with our friends in Utica leading the way.
Celebrate the end of Prohobition this weekend at Fort Pearl or your favorite neighnorhood tavern.
Watertown Daily Times | F.X. Matt’s connection to Prohibition repeal
1 comment:
Good comments mayor. Don't forget about all the beer license crap and state jobs that still linger from prohibition. Sunday before noon is only a year or two old. Ever go fishing Sunday morning and forget to buy the beer some other day before?
This is probably why pot is getting so popular. In the eyes of someone that is less than 7765 days old, pot and beer are the same thing...illegal.
Of course it is not all bad...if you have one of the few smoking rooms and a beer license it does have some value thanks to the laws.
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