The Repeal of Prohibition Party at Carver Brewing Co. and the tapping of Spring Tonic Elixir, brewed by The Durango Bootlegger’s Society (a collaboration between Durango’s four breweries) is one of the most fun and unique beer events of the year.

Carver Brewing Co. turns their back pub area into a prohibition-era speakeasy for the night, with attendees encouraged to dress in 1930’s wear to add to the prohibition ambiance. Starting at 6pm American Brew will show, a documentary about America’s beer history. Duane Smith, local historian, author and FLC Professor will be on hand to speak about local brewing history.

Local bluegrass band Waiting On Trial will finish out the night with music. A portion of the proceeds go to the Animas City Museum.

Spring Tonic Elixir is a wonderful dark lager based on a pre-prohibition recipe (which was said to have medicinal properties). Here’s my post from last year’s party with some photos.

Post from: Beer N Bikes

Durango Bootlegger’s 8th Annual Spring Tonic Elixir

Local Historian Duane Smith Speaking the Good Word About Beer

Last night was the Repeal of Prohibition Party at Carver Brewing Co and the release of this years batch of The Durango Bootleggers Society’s Spring Tonic Elixir.

The back room at Carver was turned into a speakeasy with $3 pints of Spring Tonic Elixir and a few people dressed in 1930’s period outfits.

Click below to read more and see some pictures.

Local historian and Fort Lewis College Professor Duane Smith was on hand and spoke about prohibition briefly. We talked to him afterward to get the scoop on the April 7th, 1933 vs December 5th, 1933 repeal of prohibition debate. He confirmed what I’d read earlier, that April 7th was when Roosevelt signed and Executive Order allowing 3.2% beer to be made and sold (but saloon’s weren’t reopened yet) at that point it was obvious prohibition had failed and the states ratified the 21st Amendment on December 5th which allowed for full strength beer and liquor.

Local bluegrass band Sourmash provided the music for the evening, there were a ton of strings up on stage and they were great. I can’t wait to see them again.

Now, as for the beer, it was good. I’m not usually a fan of lagers, but as I’ve come to find out, that might be because I’m so used to the flavorless crap the big beer companies are making today. The Spring Tonic Elixir I was told is a prohibition era recipe, it was an amber/red in color, not too aromatic but had a great taste.

Kinsee and I were in our 1930’s outfits, as were a few other folks, including The Victorian Aid Society. They had three women outside protesting the repeal of prohibition and a few men inside enjoying cold beers.

Temperance Protesters

Dressed up Like the 30's

A Member of the Victorian Aid Society Taking Part in the Festivities

Photos by Kinsee Morlan

Post from: Beer N Bikes

Spring Tonic Elixir at Carver Brewing Co’s Repeal of Prohibition Party