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U.S. Beer Industry Contributes $350B to Economy and Creates 2.23M Jobs

Staff Report

Thursday, May 25th, 2017

From brewers and beer importers to beer distributors and retailers, the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association released Beer Serves America, an economic study that highlights how the U.S. beer industry generates more than 2.23 million jobs, providing $103.3 billion in wages and benefits to American workers and families.

The study, based on government and industry data, estimates the wages provided, the economic contribution generated, the taxes paid and the number of jobs supported by the American beer industry.

"Beer is more than a refreshing adult beverage. The beer industry is vital to the United States, generating nearly 2.23 million jobs and contributing more than $350 billion to the American economy," said Jim McGreevy, President and CEO of the Beer Institute. "Beer Serves America demonstrates how brewers, beer importers and beer industry suppliers are creating jobs, providing wages and benefits to working Americans and supporting the economy in every state and every congressional district."

NBWA President & CEO Craig Purser said, "America's beer distributors are proud to provide nearly 135,000 jobs with solid wages and great benefits to employees at more than 3,000 facilities, located in every state and congressional district across the country. Independent beer distributors generate significant economic contributions in their communities through local business-to-business commerce, investments in local infrastructure and capital assets and tax revenue. Through a wide range of services, distributors work to build beer brands of all kinds – from large, familiar labels to start-up, craft brands and imports from around the world – and to deliver vast consumer choice in the marketplace."

Key findings from the Beer Serves America report include:

  • Brewers and beer importers directly employ 64,745 Americans. About 58 percent of brewing jobs are linked to large and mid-sized brewers and beer importers.

  • Beer distributors directly employ 134,240 Americans.

  • Overall, the beer industry contributes more than $350 billion in economic output, which is equal to nearly 1.9 percent of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product.

  • Suppliers to the brewing industry – enterprises that manufacture bottles, cans and kegs, cardboard case boxes, brewing equipment or marketing displays – generate nearly $115.3 billion in economic activity and are responsible for more than 491,800 jobs alone.