Don't Mess with Beer But Have You Heard About?

But have you heard about the Lager Beer Riot that occurred on April 21, 1855 in Chicago? Maybe not, unless you're really into Chicago beer or politics. On this week's episode, we are talking about an interesting combo–politics and beer in Chicago. 

With rising immigrants settling in developing Midwest cities like Chicago and bringing much of their home country culture and past times with them. Germans brought with them their love of brewing beer and journalism, with many setting up taverns that many locals and immigrants frequented. Many of these immigrants had participated in the 1848 revolutions across Europe and were accustomed to demonstrations for political reasons. At the same time, all over the country there was a wide spread of distrust when it came to Catholics and immigrants. Many newspapers and politicians depicted immigrants as drunks, and part of a ploy for the Pope to take over the US if they were Catholic. Because of the drunken portrayal, many nativists gravitated towards anti alcoholism, or the Temperance Movement. In the city election of 1855, the Know Nothing Party Candidate Levi Boone won and almost immediately went to work on ways to punish immigrants for just living in the city--increasing the price for liquor license and suspending the sale of alcohol on Sundays. Take a listen and see how messing with German's beer can lead to a revolution.