You may have seen stories circulating on the internet claiming that the pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock because they ran out of craft beer. Well, craft beer hadn’t been invented yet, but you get the idea.

We started our Thanksgiving celebrations early this year by looking into this mystery, and came across a story in the Daytona Beach Morning Journal of December 23, 1938 written by Eddy Gilmore.

Of course, there was no internet in 1938 either. Unlike poor Eddy, we got to sit at our computer and keep drinking ale while we googled the answer to this quandary. Eddy had to run around consulting official sounding sources like the Library of Congress and the Works Progress Administration. So, we’re already starting to feel more grateful for our blessings.

Still, even without Wi-Fi, good old Eddy tracked down a journal kept by one of those thirsty pilgrims on board the Mayflower who explains why they were in such a hurry to go ashore. “For we could not now take time for further search or consideration: our victuals being much spent, especially our beer.”

An expert at the WPA confirms that there were so many pilgrims on the ship that there wouldn’t have been enough room for the beer. And you thought the Shackleton Expedition was scary?

By now the moral of this story is clear. Invite fewer guests for dinner or buy more beer this Thanksgiving. We suggest buying more beer. Ordering a keg is a lot easier than roasting a turkey. And that is something to be thankful for.

The pilgrims may have run out of beer, but you don’t have to. Contact us this Thanksgiving and year round for beers that are crafted with the highest quality ingredients. See why North Carolina has become the Southern State for beer.