Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Food

Something To Smile About: No One Is Smashing Our Beer Kegs Anymore


By

Jen Carlson

Published Dec 27, 2011

Modified Dec 27, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Jen Carlson

Published Dec 27, 2011

Modified Dec 27, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Photo via Private Idaho

There are a lot of depressing headlines out there today, so let's think of something positive. We stumbled across this old photo from 1931, during Prohibition, of illegal beer kegs being smashed somewhere in New York City. A tragic sight! The sound of the foam seeping into the unappreciative soil will haunt our dreams tonight, but at least the Great Beer Massacre of 1931 is all in the past.

So, the next time you get the blues and your hugging machine isn't around, think about this: at least we have beer. Sweet, nectar of the gods, beer. And it's perfectly legal (if you are 21 or older) to drink it, and even store it in kegs in your apartment.

Tagged

1931

beer

flashback

history

kegs

prohibition

smashing


Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE food

Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.

The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.

By

Hannah Frishberg

Published Oct 19, 2026


North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.

Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.

By

Robert Sietsema

Food

North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.

Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.

By

Robert Sietsema


10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City

By

Robert Sietsema

Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.

By

Sonia Rao

5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's

By

Hannah Frishberg


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .