Dec. 5 marked the 75th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition, which means a lot of people looked a little rough around the edges 75 years ago today -- some of them for overimbibing legally, others for losing lucrative jobs in illegal industries.

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Some things never change.

No doubt, some folks would love to go back to the days of righteousness and moonshiners. After all, beer and booze can do as much bad as good. If human beings prove one thing again and again, it's that they can turn any discovery into tragedy in no time.

Of course, the public relations arm of the beer industry wants to focus on the good things, like the economic engine driven by barley, hops and yeast or the charitable contributions generated by breweries and beer-related business.

Go to virtually any auction or major fundraiser in Anchorage and you'll see one or more local breweries contributing everything from kegs and gift certificates to labor and ideology.

Besides, statistics reveal the United States as a beer nation.

The Brewers Association Web site, www.beertown.org, cites 2007 numbers from the Adams Beverage Group that show that Americans spend more on beer than wine and spirits combined: almost $98 billion. The association estimates that craft brewers account for about $5.74 billion of these sales.

Go crack a cold brew and stay with me, OK?

Of the reported 1,463 breweries operating in the United States, the association considers 1,420 of them craft brewing operations, which means 43 breweries -- only one more than the number operating in the U.S. in 1978 -- make 94 percent of the dough.

Many of these 43 breweries were the same ones that survived consolidation 30 years ago.

Way back in the 1800s before we drove cars into light poles, Americans supported about 1,500 local breweries, of which only half survived prohibition. Forty-two remained standing after consolidations in the 1970s.

Really, the old-school concept of buying local beer from local breweries died out until 1978 when home brewers could legally make beer for the first time in decades. Once these homespun beer producers rediscovered beer, they cracked open the door for a resurgence of small, independent operations.

So whether you celebrate the anniversary of the end of the Prohibition or the holidays to come, contribute to our local breweries by buying their beer and then buying another for the home brewer in the house.

A 12-day celebration primer

For starters, head over to the 12 Days of Barley Wine, a swirl of strong ale and other brews that ring in the holidays every December at Glacier Brewhouse (737 W. Fifth Ave.). The dozen days of mirth kicked off a few nights ago, but the event continues through Dec. 21.

Look for a full schedule at www.glacierbrewhouse.com but get started this weekend. Tonight, try the 2006 Big Woody Barley Wine conditioned first in Jim Beam barrels and then in American oak wine barrels. The Brewhouse will also serve its festive 2005 Raspberry XXX after three years in Jim Beam barrels.

Saturday, look for two vintages of Big Woody from 2006, each with its own aging characteristics, and then follow up Sunday, by tasting two versions of the 2007 Big Woody.

Singular beers will appear every night next week with the 2009 Big Woody debuting Dec. 20 and 21.

The beer gets flowing in the early evening with barley wine, Russian Imperial stout, specialty beers and cask-conditioned Big Woody every night.

Every beer in the 12 Days of Barley Wine tastes big, fat and full, so drink with care. We need to support good beer, not inspire another Prohibition.

• Find Daily News reporter Dawnell Smith at adn.com/contact/dsmith or call 257-4587.