The Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA)  have released their biennial economic report on the state of the industry.

And we’ve some of its highlights…

The Beer Serves America report, which outlines the economic contributions, jobs and taxes the beer industry provides in every state, found the US beer industry supports more than 2.1 million well-paying, local jobs in a wide range of industries, including farming, manufacturing, construction and transportation in every community across the country.

America’s beer industry also contributes more than $328 billion to the US economy with more than 7,000 active breweries and over 3,000 distributors throughout. Brewers and beer distributors directly employ more than 200,000 Americans, and every job in a brewery supports another 31 jobs in other industries.

Key findings from the Beer Serves America report include:

• Brewers and beer importers directly employ nearly 70,000 Americans. Large and mid-sized brewers and beer importers provide about 58 percent of brewing jobs.
• The number of distributor jobs has increased by more than 19 percent in the last decade, to nearly 141,600.
• Overall, the beer industry contributes about $328.4 billion in economic output which is equal to about 1.6 percent of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product.
• Suppliers to the brewing industry – enterprises that manufacture bottles and cans, cardboard case boxes, brewing equipment or marketing displays – generate nearly $102.0 billion in economic activity and are responsible for almost 436,650 jobs alone.

With Memorial Day just around the corner and the summer beer selling season about to begin, Jim McGreevy, the President and CEO of the Beer Institute had plenty to feel good about…

“Beer is more than America’s most popular alcohol beverage. The beer industry is vital to the United States, generating more than 2.1 million jobs and contributing $328 billion to the American economy.”

“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.”

And Craig Purser, President and CEO of the National Beer Wholesalers Association, who partnered with the Beer Institute on the just released report, seconded McGreevy’s bullish emotion…

“America’s 3,000 independent beer distribution companies are proud to employ 141,600 hardworking Americans with jobs that pay a collective $9.5 billion in wages, offer solid benefits and provide the opportunity for advancement.”

 “Independent beer distributors are Main Street businesses whose economic contributions are felt in every community and congressional district across the country as they work with brewers large and small to grow brands and safely deliver America’s favorite alcohol beverage to more than 640,000 licensed retailers nationwide.”