Happy Prohibition Repeal Day!

Written for Iowa Legendary Rye on Dec. 3, 2020.

87 years ago on December 5, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt changed the lives of millions of Americans when he put an end to the infamous Prohibition Era. The production and sale of alcohol was finally made legal again after 13 years of the 18th Amendment.

Today, we celebrate National Prohibition Repeal Day in honor of our very own Lorine Sextro and the countless other bootleggers who hid their craft from the law.

The story of Prohibition all began when people spread misinformation about the effects of alcohol. Leaders of the Prohibition viewed alcohol as a destructive force in families and marriages, and they were unnerved by the normalized drinking behavior of Americans across the country. 

Afraid that alcohol consumption would increase, groups like the Anti-Saloon League pushed for local Prohibition laws, which eventually expanded nationally. Their dream for a “sober nation” finally became a reality on January 17, 1920. 

The passing of the 18th Amendment took away business licenses from brewers, distillers, vintners and any sellers of alcohol. Prohibition leaders were confident that this new restriction would bring an end to alcoholism, crime, mental illness and poverty. However, during the 13 years that the 18th Amendment was active, the opposite occurred. 

Contrary to what Prohibition leaders believed, enforcing the new law was not simple. The production and sale of liquor transformed into an underground operation, leading to the spread of speakeasies, a rise in gang violence and a decreasing trust in government. 

Because the production and sale of alcohol could not be regulated, the bootlegging operation quickly became a lucrative business. In fact, the infamous Chicago gangster Al Capone earned roughly $60 million a year from his own bootlegging ventures. To earn some extra money, many everyday Americans got involved in bootlegging themselves. 

This was how Iowa Legendary Rye was born. 

Still struggling from the aftereffects of the Great Depression, Lorine Sextro needed more ways to support her family than just their small Carroll County farm. That’s when her and her husband decided to house a local bootlegger in their attic. As the days went by, Lorine saw an opportunity for herself to participate in the bootlegging operation.

From her resident bootlegger, she began to learn everything she could about the distilling process. She then went on to distill her own rye and create the very recipe that Templeton, Iowa is famous for.

However, in fear of endangering her family, Lorine Sextro kept her involvement in bootlegging as hidden as possible. In May 1933, when federal agents raided a neighboring farm, the Sextros buried their barrels of rye in nearby fields around Carroll County. Luckily, the Sextros were never caught. 

By December 5, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ratified the 21st Amendment, putting an end to the Prohibition Era. After 13 years, Americans could finally enjoy the rich tradition of fermentation and distillation without fear of the law.

Despite this, Lorine Sextro still refused to tell her children about her bootlegging history in case they ever got in trouble with the law. Instead, she passed on her secret recipe onto a family friend. Eventually, word came back to her family, and Lorine’s grandson Heath Schnieder works to preserve her legacy through Iowa Legendary Rye. 

To this day, Lorine Sextro’s famed Templeton style rye survives through Iowa Legendary Rye. Every batch of our rye follows the same exact protocol that she invented. Mashed, fermented and bottled 4 gallons at a time, Iowa Legendary Rye is committed to crafting our rye with all natural ingredients in the same community where it all started—Carroll County. We can promise you that our rye is just as real and authentic as it was during the Prohibition.

The quality and flavor of Iowa Legendary Rye is just as smooth and delicious as it was almost 100 years ago. That’s why there’s no better way to celebrate National Prohibition Rye than with a bottle of Lorine Sextro’s original Templeton style rye. 

Treat yourself and your loved ones with some Iowa Legendary Rye by visiting our website or your local liquor store today! Take part in our rich rye history and #BeLegendary. 

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