A BOOST from BEER

Cheers to beers! A new economic impact study shows that America’s beer industry made up of brewers, beer importers, beer distributors, brewer suppliers, and retailers, directly and indirectly contributes more than $198 billion annually to the US economy. The study, commissioned by the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA), also shows that the industry provides nearly 1.9 million jobs – generating nearly $62 billion in wages and benefits. The industry also paid $41 billion in business, personal and consumption taxes in 2OO8. According to the study, the beer industry directly employs more than one million people, paying $28 billion in wages. Beer sales help support roughly 888,OOO retail jobs, including those at supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, bars, stadiums, and other outlets and generate more than $25 billion in economic activity in agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
In addition to strengthening the US economy, the industry plays a significant role in promoting responsible consumption of its products. Brewers, importers, and independent beer distributors, licensed at both the state and federal levels, develop and implement programs that promote responsibility and help fight alcohol abuse. These efforts, along with those of parents, law enforcement, federal and state alcohol beverage regulators, educators, and other community groups, have worked to contribute to declines in illegal underage drinking and drunk driving over the past two decades, according to independent and government data. The complete study, including state-by-state and congressional district breakdowns of economic contributions, is available at BeerServesAmerica.org