Prohibition may be the greatest gift any government ever gave its citizens. A barrel of beer cost $4 to make and sold for $55. A case of spiritous liquor cost $20 to produce and earned $90--and all this without taxes.
In his book "One Summer: America, 1927," Bill Bryson reflects on the impact of Prohibition, suggesting it could be seen as an unintended benefit for the populace. The era's enforcement of alcohol bans led to significant price markups on drinks. A barrel of beer, for instance, which cost only $4 to produce, could be sold for $55, highlighting the lucrative black market that emerged during this time.
Bryson further illustrates how producers of spirits capitalized on the situation, with a case of liquor costing $20 to make but fetching a price of $90. This situation existed without any tax implications, suggesting that Prohibition inadvertently created a profitable environment for illegal trade, altering the economic landscape of the era.
