The Beer Institute, a Washington, DC-based trade group that represents brewers, beer importers and industry suppliers, has announced this year’s legislative Beer Champions. And they’ve chosen well.

This year the association is honoring a bipartisan collection of twelve legislators “for securing permanent excise tax relief, championing efforts for tax relief for products that spoiled due to closures because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensuring the recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans reflect a preponderance of the scientific evidence.”

The twelve legislators recognized as 2021 Beer Champions are:

• Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.)
• Roy Blunt, R-Mo.
• Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev.
• Kevin Cramer, R-N.D.
• Rob Portman, R-Ohio
• Ron Wyden, D-Ore.
• Henry Cuellar, D-Texas
• Andy Harris, R-Md.
• Mike Kelly, R-Pa.
• Darin LaHood, R-Ill.
• Richard Neal, D-Mass.
• Ron Kind, D-Wis

Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio

Ohio Senator Rob Portman, a second-time Beer Champion honoree, remained gracious in his acceptance and smartly avoided naming a favorite craft brewery…

“I’m honored to be selected as one of the Beer Institute’s 2021 Beer Champions.” Ohio is fifth in the nation in craft beer production, and the beer industry supports 71,000 Ohio jobs. I’ve visited many breweries across the state, heard about the needs and challenges facing this growing industry, and tasted some of the impressive products that come from local Ohio businesses.”

And Representative Mike Kelly took the opportunity to showcase Pennsylvania’s rich brewing legacy…

“Pennsylvania has a long and rich history with brewing dating back to the 1600s. Today, this tradition continues with hundreds of brewers in the commonwealth contributing powerfully to their local economies and communities.

 “More than two million Americans owe their livelihood to a vibrant American beer industry, and that would not be possible without the leadership of our Beer Champions,” said Jim McGreevy, president and CEO of the Beer Institute….

“While the beer industry continues to face significant hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are grateful to our champions in Congress who have ensured our industry can continue to produce and serve America’s favorite alcohol beverage”