Happy International Beer Day! The 2024 edition couldn't have come at a better time, as it seems we all need some downtime and the chance to throw back a few drinks. Celebrations are underway from Charlotte to Cincinnati, and across the globe.

Celebrated annually on the first Friday of August since 2013, International Beer Day has its roots in Santa Cruz, California. Jesse Avshalomov told UPI that he got the ball rolling on making it an annual thing in 2008 by contacting a ton of bars. And it stuck, not surprisingly. The holiday was originally held on August 5, but it was shifted to the month's 1st Friday, and who can argue with that? As soon as the clock strikes 5 o'clock, or maybe earlier – it's 5 o'clock somewhere – you can bet the beer will be flowing nationwide, and for that matter worldwide.