United Nations of Beer

Beer Belly Boulevard belt buckle

by Tom Warin

Beer Belly Boulevard belt buckle

(BodyCandy)

The beer belly was invented by Samuel T. Belly (his name is one of history's odd coincidences) in 1805.

It was originally conceived as a way of protecting Britain's beer supplies in the event of a French invasion, by distributing the beer among the able-bodied men of the nation in leakproof belly pouches.

Brewers experimented with aging their beers in beer bellies, thinking that the warmth and constant motion would encourage a more complete fermentation, however off-flavors were introduced into the beer that consumers did not care for. By the beginning of the 20th century, the beer belly was a curiosity, most often used by hikers to carry a supply of beer on long journeys.

The long, isolated campaigns in the Pacific during World War 2 introduced another use for the beer belly. US forces were often deployed to remote islands and having a portable beer supply that they could carry around on the battlefield greatly enhanced morale.

The Imperial Japanese Army was frustrated by their inability to perfect the "Sake Hump" that they hoped would provide a similar service for their troops.

At the height of the war, a thousand beer bellies a day were coming off the production lines in factories in Flint, Michigan, on what became known as Beer Belly Boulevard.

This commemorative belt buckle celebrates this unknown chapter in American history.