When most people think about the attributes of beer, words like crisp and refreshing come to mind. But beer products mean a lot more than that. Beer directly employ more than 1 million Americans in virtually every corner of the U.S. These jobs help strengthen many sectors of the economy with a payroll of more than $28 billion. Federal, state and local governments receiving tax revenues in excess of $41 billion annually.

The nation's malt beverage producers, importers, and distributors are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in neighborhoods large and small. Through charitable contributions, civic and community support, they have provide emergency and disaster relief, fund scholarship programs, and sponsor local festivals and entertainment events.

     
The U.S. brewing industry is a dynamic part of our national economy. An indication of beer’s importance is its inclusion in the basket of goods the government uses to calculate the Consumer Price Index.

The industry today includes more than 2,000 brewers and importer establishments and over 2,800 beer distributor facilities across the country. Retail partners are also important contributors, the current official beer outlet count for the industry by TDLinx includes over 521,000 beer selling retail establishments. The industry’s economic ripple effect benefits agriculture, manufacturing, construction, transportation and many other businesses whose livelihood depends on the beer industry.

Directly and indirectly, the beer industry employs approximately 1.9 million Americans, paying them almost $62 billion in wages and benefits. The industry pays over $41 billion in business, personal and consumption taxes, including $5.4 billion in excise taxes and $5.7 billion in sales, gross receipts, and other taxes.

The industry’s contributions to our economy continue to grow. In 2008, the industry recorded 0.5% growth, hitting an all-time record of over 213 million barrels of beer.

Consumer interest in beers, ales, and other malt beverages also grows. Today there are more than 3,500 malt beverage brands, more than three times the number of a decade ago. Because of the growing popularity of microbreweries and brewpubs, there are now five times more breweries in the country than a decade ago.

U.S. brewers also continue to develop growing markets abroad, now exporting products to nearly 100 countries.

Tip a glass in honor of the laborer in the beer industry.