History & Hops: 90th Anniversary of Prohibition Ending in DC

After a 7 year hiatus, we’re reviving our fan-favorite series, History & Hops, a regular after-hours event series where guests can tour the Heurich House, hang out with their favorite DC beverage producers, and taste their creations.

On March 1, 2024 from 6-8pm, celebrate the 90th anniversary of the end of Prohibition in DC with a tour, tasting, and opportunity to meet the people that make DC’s local craft beverages. Celebrate the city’s history of bootlegging with Jordan Cotton, owner of DC’s rum distiller, Cotton & Reed, and visit the kitchen to taste a limited-edition cask from Bluejacket brewery. Take a tour of the historic home of brewmaster Christian Heurich while tasting the revival of his flagship brand, Senate Beer. The museum will share Prohibition-era breweriana, and stories of the people that worked in the historic home and brewery.

When Prohibition was first implemented in Washington, DC on November 1, 1917 - three years before the rest of the United States - it was meant to be a model city showing the benefits of abstinence. But during the 16 years Prohibition was in place, DC had more than 3,000 speakeasies. The 21st amendment to repeal Prohibition was ratified on December 5, 1933 and Washington, DC continued to uphold the 18th amendment until March 1, 1934. Today, nearly 20 breweries, distilleries, cideries, and wineries call the District home.

History & Hops was created over a decade ago to celebrate the second wave of DC craft beer. After the Heurich brewery closed in 1956, there were no production breweries in the District until 2011 when DC Brau opened its doors. DC Brau was featured at the first History & Hops at the museum in 2013. From 2013 - 2017 the museum hosted 45 evenings where dozens of breweries from the region poured the first tastes of their brews before they ever opened their doors for customers. 

Tickets are $35 and include three tastings, light snacks, and a tour of the museum.

21+ event | ID checked at the door| Prohibition-era Costumes Encouraged

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