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Publisher: United States Brewers Association, 1914.
Hard Cover, 353 pages, 6.25 x 9.25.
Item #1393
Published annually in the years before Prohibition, the Year Book of the United States Brewers Association was a virtual snapshot of the state of the American brewing industry from the perspective of the brewery owners themselves. The book typically featured the proceedings of the Association's annual convention (speeches made by the brewers, reports of the various committees of the Association, etc.) as well as an assortment of writings and essays of matters relating to beer and brewing. These annual publications, issued roughly from 1909 to 1920, are true historical source material. Unlike books written by historians of a later generation, the Year Books are a direct record of their time -- giving a unique glimpse into how the brewers themselves interpreted and responded to the various issues that impacted brewing in America. Also included are detailed Statistical appendices showing annual beer production numbers, and information regarding imports, exports, raw materials, etc., and a complete list of members of the USBA. The 1914 edition contains the proceedings of the 54th annual United States Brewers Association convention held in New Orleans. The address of USBA President Edward A. Schmidt (Philadelphia brewery owner) opened the convention. He said, in part, "In the face of the unjust and unfair attacks of the Prohibitionists and the Anti-Saloon League before the Congress and the State Legislatures of the country, and while the extravagant claims of the Anti-Saloon League and other prohibition organizations have led the public to believe that the whole country is rapidly going dry, it is a matter of congratulation that the Brewing Industry can again record an increase, although a small one, in the sales of beer, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1914." Little did Schmidt know that 1914 would be the industry's peak year of the pre-prohibition days. The Year Book is largely a report of the fight against Prohibition around the nation, as well as the brewers' intellectual and medical arguments against the movement. "A true man," said Schmidt, "uses the good things of life with perfect control of his appetite. Use without abuse, appetitie subject to reason, is the highest rule of living."
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