Crate Day is a semi-national New Zealand holiday celebrated on the first Saturday in December. It takes place on December 3 this year. It is a distinctive New Zealand custom to share a crate of beer to celebrate the approach of summer. The holiday celebration can be done in the privacy of homes, at parks, or on the beach. Drinking contests are a common sight on this day. The celebration has its own set of commandments such as: “Thou shall begin at midday” and “thou shall wear the costume of Crate Day — singlets, stubbies, and sandals.”
History of Crate Day
Bottled beer has existed for hundreds of years in various forms, but glass-bottled beer was not conceivable until glass-blowing methods developed and bottles could handle the pressure of carbonated beer without exploding. It was still not the favored take-home beer in the mid-nineteenth century due to the high cost of glass. Crate Day was created by The Rock radio station to celebrate the arrival of summer on the first Saturday in December. However, there are some guidelines to follow. Apart from drinking sensibly, Crate Day’s main commandment is to support the “Crate of Origin” — or consume beer wherever you are.Beer is one of the oldest beverages ever created by humans. The first chemically confirmed barley beer was made in modern-day Iran in the 5th millennium B.C., and it was documented in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia’s written histories before spreading around the world. Beer crates were originally made of wood. Beer was first made in what is now Iran around 7,000 years ago. Beer may have been produced in Neolithic Europe as early as 5,000 years ago, and was mostly consumed at home.Before the Industrial Revolution, beer was still brewed and sold on a home scale, albeit by the 7th century, European monks were also producing and selling beer. Beer production shifted from artisanal to industrial during the Industrial Revolution, and domestic production ceased to be by the end of the 19th century. The brewing industry is now a global enterprise, with numerous large international corporations and tens of thousands of smaller breweries ranging from brewpubs to regional breweries.
Crate Day timeline
It’s believed beer originates around this time.
Scotland creates its first batch of whisky.
Cascade hops become a government brewing effort and popular varieties in craft beer.
The United States has 5,005 breweries with 99% of them being small and self-sufficient.
Crate Day FAQs
How many bottles are in a crate?
A crate holds 20 beer bottles.
How much alcohol is in a crate?
A crate of beer holds 2.4 gallons of alcohol.
When does Crate Day start?
In New Zealand, Crate Day begins at noon.
Crate Day Activities
-
Visit a New Zealand Museum
To get the full impact of nostalgia, you immerse yourself in Kiwi history on Crate Day. Get a group of friends or your family together and head to the nearest museum.
-
Share on social media
Share images with friends and family enjoying their beers and wearing fun outfits. Working boots, wearing bikinis, and dressing up in summer outfits on Crate Day are encouraged.
-
Host a small gathering
Hosting a mini gathering and sharing a crate of beer with some friends is a fantastic way to commemorate an important part of New Zealand history. Don’t forget to drink responsibly!
5 Fun Facts About Beer
-
Lager has a high consumption rate
Lager is the most consumed type of beer, constituting almost 80% of all consumption.
-
The third-most popular beverage worldwide
Beer is the world’s third-most popular beverage, behind water and tea.
-
A Slavic word
‘Beer’ is a Slavic verb that means “to drink.”
-
The world’s largest beer museum
Altenburg, Germany is home to the world’s largest beer museum.
-
The Guinness Book of World Records
Hugh Beaver, Executive Director of the Guinness Brewing Company, developed the Records.
Why We Love Crate Day
-
Beer is a cultural drink
When it comes to beer, many countries, states, and even localities have various specialties. Cask ales are popular in England and California. It offers you a sense of belonging when you drink and share your favorite local beer.
-
It has a long history
Beer was sipped by ancient farmers. Drinking means participating in an age-old tradition that has brought delight to people all over the world.
-
It creates a community
Beer is a social drink. Whether you and your pals are sharing cans at a house party or enjoying a pint at the local bar, it’s great to have conversations and create memories over beers.
Crate Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | December 3 | Saturday |
| 2023 | December 2 | Saturday |
| 2024 | December 7 | Saturday |
| 2025 | December 6 | Saturday |
| 2026 | December 5 | Saturday |
