BEER HAD A BIG YEAR . . .

Beer is big business. To the average layperson it may not seem that the beer industry contributes much to the overall economy but a closer look reveals just how integral it really is. A new economic impact study called Beer Serves America highlights how America’s beer industry – made up of brewers, importers, distributors, brewer suppliers and retailers – directly and indirectly contributes billions annually to the US economy. The industry includes: 2851 brewing establishments, 3728 distributors and 576,353 retailers. There are currently 13,OOO different American labels of beer. Jointly commissioned by the Beer Institute (BI) and the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA), the study shows that the industry generates more than two million American jobs, accounting for nearly $79 billion in wages and benefits and more than $246.6 billion in economic activity. The industry also contributed $49.1 billion dollars in the form of business, personal and consumption taxes in 2O12. According to the study, the beer industry directly employs nearly 1.1 million people, paying nearly $31.8 billion in wages and benefits, among brewers, distributors and retailers, such as supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, bars and stadiums. Indirectly, the industry generates nearly $153.2 billion in economic activity in agriculture, manufacturing, construction, transportation and other sectors. The complete study is available at BeerServesAmerica.org.