1. Ale Was Deemed “The Proper Drink for Americans” in 1788

Fraunces Tavern in New York City

At a large parade to celebrate the New York State ratification of the United States constitution in 1788, twenty brewers partook with the motto “Ale, proper drink for Americans.” One of the brewers’ flags was emblazoned with the phrase “May he be choaked with the grains, or drowned in hot ale whose business it is to brew mischief.” It is telling that a tavern, Fraunces Tavern, pictured above in its current state, was the seat of the Confederation Congress after the American Revolution.

Next, see 10 of the oldest surviving bars in NYC and 12 of NYC’s top microbreweries today.