BEER & THE ECONOMY

THE BEER INSTITUTE and the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) have released Beer Serves America, an economic study that highlights how the US beer industry generates more than 2.23 million jobs, providing $1O3.3 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.  Key findings from the 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 importers.  Beer distributors directly employ 134,24O Americans.  Overall, the industry contributes more than $35O billion in economic output, which is equal to nearly 1.9 percent of the US 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 491,8OO jobs.  More information can be found at beerservesamerica.org.