Although not well known today, Thomas Uphill was B.C.’s longest serving MLA, representing Fernie from 1920-1960. Prior to joining provincial politics, Uphill was Mayor of Fernie during B.C.’s short-lived Prohibition (1917-1920), which he opposed heartily even though he himself was a Methodist who rarely drank alcohol. His stance reflected his working-class constituents’ views; after all, Fernie had voted against Prohibition by the greatest majority of any riding in the province.
Following the repeal of Prohibition, the government made alcohol available in sealed packages only to qualified citizens who paid a $5 annual fee. Uphill contended that workers were being unfairly discriminated against, and introduced amendments to allow workers’ clubs to serve 4% beer on draft, something that veterans were allowed to do in Legion Halls. He was unsuccessful but he continued to advocate for the worker’s right to a cold glass of beer.
When national prohibition once again reared its ugly head during World War Two, Uphill urged his fellow MLAs to demand Ottawa remove restrictions on beer. Standing in the B.C. Legislature, he brandished an empty bottle of beer, declaring, “Beer is as necessary to the worker as milk is to the baby… Hands off the workers’ beer!”
Ten years ago, historian Wayne Norton brought this story to the attention of brewer Chris Lukie at Victoria’s Swans Brewpub, who agreed to create a beer in honour of Thomas Uphill. The result, Thomas Uphill Amber Ale, was launched at a special event in October, 2017, coinciding with the publication of Norton’s article about Uphill in Canadian History magazine, which is available online today at canadashistory.ca/explore/politics-law/the-working-man-s-beer.
