Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Gulf Shores has a lot to offer — white sand, warm water, and a brewery that locals and visitors keep returning to. Big Beach Brewing Company is located at 300 E. 24th Ave., right in the heart of town. It holds the title of the southernmost brewery in Alabama. And on National Beer Day, there's no better time to visit.

National Beer Day falls on April 7 each year. The date commemorates the day in 1933 when the Cullen-Harrison Act took effect, allowing Americans to legally buy beer again after years of Prohibition. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the act on March 22 of that year. The night before, April 6, is known as New Beer's Eve.

Big Beach operates a 10-barrel brewing system and keeps up to 12 beers on tap at once. The brewery specializes in ales — from IPAs and stouts to cream ales and Belgian-style beers. Head brewer Rod Murray oversees the operation, and the owners say they brew what they like and hope customers will too.

What makes Big Beach unique is its "tank to tap" setup. Instead of serving beer from kegs, the brewery uses eight 300-gallon vessels displayed right behind the bar. The idea is straightforward: deliver fresher beer directly from the source. It's a system that craft beer enthusiasts often notice.

The taproom is open-air, with four garage doors that let the coastal breeze flow inside. It has a fireplace, ample seating, and a kitchen, Taproom Table, that offers flatbreads and shareable snacks daily. Families are welcome, and there is an outdoor space for kids while parents relax.

Beer has a long history — some researchers trace it back to 9500 BC, when cereal grains were first farmed. It's now the third most consumed drink in the world, after water and tea. The craft beer movement has boosted that interest even more, giving drinkers more choices than ever before.

National Beer Day became official in 2009, when Justin Smith of Richmond, Virginia, and his friend Mike Connolly started a Facebook page to mark the occasion. The date reflects the Cullen-Harrison Act. Virginia officially recognized the holiday in 2017, and it has been celebrated on social media every April 7 with the hashtag #NationalBeerDay.

Big Beach is open Monday through Thursday from noon to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to 11 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. For those who don't drink, the brewery offers Big Jerk Soda, made in Pensacola. Contact them at 251-948-2337 or visit bigbeachbrewing.com.