A legacy that some people may not know that former President Jimmy Carter left behind: craft brewing.
In 1978 Carter signed a bill allowing an exemption from taxation on beer brewed at home for personal or family use. This marked a massive change; lifting regulations from prohibition laws that were hindering the industry for over 50 years.
Back in 1978 there were under 100 breweries across the country. Now, almost 10,000 are spread across the United States.
The legislation earned President Carter the nickname ‘The Father of Craft Beers’
“Craft brewing in Michigan has come a long way,” says Short’s Brewing Company CEO Scott Newman-Bale. “When we started in 2004, we had to convince people what craft brewing even was that you could drink it, it was good for the community. Now, obviously it’s kind of a staple for every town. We have community space. We do a lot for the community, and we can build downtowns on it. So that’s a big change.”
Newman-Bale also says Joe and Leah Short of Short’s Brewing in Bellaire were born a month before and a month after the legislation that paved the way for their successful business.