The Beer of Myths and Legacies Denied: 1941–1948 and The Beer of War and Global Famine Relief: 1941–1948 are the first two books in the one-of-a-kind, five-volume series, The Inspiring History and Legacies of American Lager Beer, which details the unlikely rise of American adjunct lager beer, as told by industry expert Greg Casey. The author has compiled more than 17,000 period references, with sources as varied as the Library of Congress to interviews with contemporary descendants. The series examines the history of American lager brewing between the 1840s and the 1940s. A period and a beer little studied by historians, the political, societal, and cultural history of the United States profoundly influenced the evolution of American adjunct lager beer. This series is the result of Casey’s 16 years of passionate self-directed and self-funded research.

Volume 1: The Beer of Myths and Legacies Denied: 1941–1948 follows a “who, what, where, when, and why” format to dissect the many myths that shroud the conception of American adjunct lager beer and thus uncover the true histories and voices that were once buried. The author reviews and explores the remarkable parallels between the first half-centuries of the history of the American lager brewing industry (1870s–1910s) and today’s craft brewing industry (1980s–2020s)—presenting readers with a living history of this era. This book is not a droll collection of statistics or a numbing array of technical jargon or a trade-centric emphasis on brewing science and technology but rather an emphasis placed on the people whose lives pulsate throughout the series.

During World War II, the brewing industry faced unprecedented challenges as wartime shortages affected key ingredients such as corn, which breweries like Pabst had relied on since the late 19th century as a preferred adjunct. These shortages spurred innovations and adaptations that reshaped the industry’s approach to brewing, debunking the long-standing myth that adjuncts such as corn were a wartime necessity born of malt shortages. Volume 2: The Beer of War and Global Famine Relief: 1941–1948, transitions to an archivally based review of the actual history of this period of the American lager brewing industry—a story of perseverance and the embodiment of the American dream, which the author hopes each reader finds not only surprising but also inspiring.

Volumes 1 and 2 feature impressive forewords from Ken Grossman (Founder, Owner, and President of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company) and Richard L. Yuengling, Jr. (President and CEO of D. G. Yuengling & Son, Inc.).

The stories told in The Inspiring History and Legacies of American Lager Beer will be of interest and value to a diverse audience: readers interested in the history of the United States or World War II, American craft brewers or employees of macro lager breweries, and even those who simply enjoy drinking American lager and craft beers. All readers are guaranteed a newfound pride, knowledge, and appreciation for the perseverance of American adjunct lager beer.

The Inspiring History and Legacies of American Lager Beer, Volume 1: The Beer of Myths and Legacies Denied: 1941–1948

Chapter 1:
Introduction

Chapter 2:
Ice-Cold Beer Here!

Chapter 3:
Jokes and Critics

Chapter 4:
Myths Overview

Chapter 5:
The “When” and “Why” Myths of American Adjunct Lager Beer

Chapter 6:
The “Where” Myth of American Adjunct Lager Beer

Chapter 7:
The “What” Myths of American Adjunct Lager Beer

Chapter 8:
The “Who” Myths of American Adjunct Lager Beer

Chapter 9:
The “Quality” Myths of American Adjunct Lager Beer

Chapter 10:
Legacies Denied

Chapter 11:
1933–1941: Harbingers of Lighter American Beer

Chapter 12:
1941–1948: The “Flowering” of American Lager Beer

Acknowledgments
Index

The Inspiring History and Legacies of American Lager Beer, Volume 2: The Beer of War and Global Famine Relief: 1941–1948

Preface
Foreword by Ken Grossman
Foreword by Richard L. Yuengling, Jr.
Financial Sponsors

Chapter 1:
Pivot to 1941–1948: The “Flowering” of American Beer

Chapter 2:
1942: A Sugar Controversy and Industry Concerns over Future Supplies of Adjuncts

Chapter 3:
1943: The Corn Crisis of the Summer of ’43

Chapter 4:
1944: Sorghum Grains and Soybean Adjuncts Called to Serve

Chapter 5:
1945: A Second Reduction in Malt: What Beer to Brew?

Chapter 6:
1946: Potatoes, Cassava, and Tapioca Are Called Up

Chapter 7:
1947: A Most Paradigm-Challenging Year

Chapter 8:
1948: Finally, All Restrictions on Brewing Materials End

Chapter 9:
Discussion: The Intrinsic Power of Drinkability

Chapter 10:
Vignettes: Volume 3 (1850s–1924): Born in… Germany!

Epilogue:
E Pluribus Unum: The Power of American Diversity

Acknowledgments
Index