Final answer:
Beer consumption in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries reflected class divisions in urban areas, where it was tied to the social identity of the working class and was a point of contention in the middle-class-led temperance and prohibition movements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The social implication of beer consumption as a marker of class can be primarily associated with urban dwellers in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The rise of urbanization and industrialization brought a mix of cultural influences and social changes that made alcohol consumption a notable aspect of everyday life. Within the urban environment, the working class often found solace in taverns and saloons where beer was a common drink, becoming a part of their social and cultural identity. Conversely, the middle class engaged in temperance movements and advocated for moderation or even prohibition of alcohol as a response to the social ills perceived to be associated with excessive drinking.
During this period, especially post-World War I, the political and social dynamics around beer consumption shifted, particularly with the significant influence of Prohibition through the 18th Amendment. This drastic social change was further complexified by the influx of immigrants, many with their own drinking traditions, and subsequent attempts by the government and various social groups to regulate or ban alcohol consumption altogether.
Thus, the patterns of beer consumption and the establishments serving it became markers of class distinction and points of political contention in the urbanized areas of the U.S., as it tangled with the very threads of cultural identity, social reform, and economic dynamics of the day.