On June 14, 1898, the government raised the tax on beer by one dollar a barrel to help fund the Spanish-American War. In most areas of the country the brewers passed the tax on to retailers who then raised the price of a beer. In other places the bar simply downsized the serving from 16 to 14 ounces, which was the equivalent of an even larger cost burdening the consumer. The end result was a tax increase that was placed fully on the back of the beer drinker. Some things never change.
Beer Fest tickets available now at MBBF.org or follow this link https://myidahotix.com/events/2020-mountain-brewers-beer-fest-6-6-2020-58530
Copyright Gregg Smith – His latest book “American Beer History” is available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/American-Beer-History-Mayflower-Microbreweries-ebook/dp/B07VCYRVGL/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=American+Beer+History&qid=1623704228&sr=8-3
