On April 7, celebrations will take place all over the United States as beer lovers mark the 75th anniversary of the modification of the Volstead Act. That's the date in 1933 when beer became the first alcoholic beverage to be made legal since Prohibition was implemented in 1920 (it officially ended on Dec. 5, 1933, with the ratification of the 21st Amendment).

Early in 1933, during a dinner at the White House, newly elected President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously remarked, "I think this would be a good time for a beer."

Anheuser-Busch (ENLARGE)

Members of the famous brewery family Adolphus Busch III, August A. Busch Sr. and August A. Busch Jr. display a case of Budweiser labeled for delivery to the White House.

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Later that night, he followed up on that thought by sending a message to Congress asking it to draft legislation to allow the sale of beer.

Shortly after, the Cullen-Harrison Act was passed, making 3.2 percent beer legal. And, at midnight on April 7, Roosevelt began receiving beer shipments from breweries all over the country. Toasting the beginning of the end of Prohibition, Americans consumed more than 1.5 million barrels of beer that day.

Anheuser-Busch — America's largest brewer, then and now — will be remembering April 7 as the "rebirth of the brewing industry" by giving its employees the afternoon off to have "a huge beer party."

"April 7 is a big day for us here in St. Louis," says A-B brand manager Tom Shipley. "We're going to have the Clydesdales make a procession. And then we're just going to have some fun and drink some beer and eat some hamburgers and hot dogs."

Before Prohibition, beer was largely considered a part of everyday life in America, Shipley says, and was even thought of as a healthful, temperate drink in comparison to other alcoholic beverages.

"In the beginning," says Shipley, "the brewers didn't really see movement toward Prohibition as a real threat to their business. In their minds, beer was totally different from hard liquor.

"Beer played such a crucial role in the economic development of the country. Even in creating the social fabric of the country. You just can't really understate the importance of beer in American history."

WHERE TO HOIST A FEW

• Atlanta Brewing Co. will commemorate April 7 by pouring three of its seasonal beers plus the usual lineup of its Red Brick ales during a special tasting and tour at the brewery. Free. 6 p.m. 2323 Defoor Hills Road N.W. 404-355-5558, www.atlantabrewing.com.

• Terrapin Brewery will celebrate with its regular Monday tour and tasting. Free. 5-7 p.m. 265 Newton Bridge Road, Athens. 1-888-577-2337, www.terrapinbeer.com.

• On April 8, there's a 75th anniversary Repeal of Prohibition Party at Lindbergh Center Taco Mac, with a buffet dinner and a selection of "10 different exotic oddities of the brewing world," including beers from Atlanta Brewing, Sweetwater and Terrapin. 6 p.m. $70 (reservations required). 573 Main St. 404-574-5813, www.taco-mac.com.