Beer Industry Contributes $2 Billion Annually to Alabama Economy

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- (Marketwired) -- 07/28/15 -- A new economic impact study shows America's beer industry, made up of brewers, beer importers, beer distributors, brewer suppliers and retailers, contributes more than $2 billion annually to Alabama's economy and is linked to 15,045 local jobs.

Jointly commissioned by the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) and the Beer Institute, the study shows that the industry generates 15,045 jobs in Alabama -- accounting for more than $592 million in wages and benefits. The industry also contributed nearly $395 million in the form of business, personal and consumption taxes in 2014.

"It can be said that beer truly serves America. Beer is more than our nation's favorite adult drink -- it is a powerhouse in job creation, commercial activity and tax revenue," said Jim McGreevy, president and CEO of the Beer Institute, which released the study today jointly with NBWA.

According to the study, the beer industry generates nearly $253 billion in economic activity, produces $48.5 billion in tax revenue and supports 1.75 million jobs. Brewers and beer importers directly employ 49,576 Americans. More than 70 percent of brewing jobs are linked to large and mid-sized brewers and beer importers, and the number of distributor jobs has increased by more than 20 percent in the last decade, to more than 131,307.

NBWA President & CEO Craig Purser said, "As independent businesses, America's licensed beer distributors are proud to provide more than 130,000 direct jobs with solid wages and great benefits to employees at more than 3,300 facilities, located in every state and congressional district across the country. These independent beer distributors provide significant economic benefits in their communities through local business-to-business commerce, investments in local infrastructure and capital assets and tax revenue. They provide services that improve efficiency for trading partners, especially small brewers and retailers, and they ensure fair prices and a broad selection of products for consumers to enjoy."

The Beer Serves America study was compiled by an independent economics firm, John Dunham & Associates. It is the most comprehensive analysis of the industry available, using data collected directly from private companies, Dun & Bradstreet, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) represents the interests of America's 3,300 licensed, independent beer distributor operations in every state, congressional district and media market across the country. Beer distributors are committed to ensuring alcohol is provided safely and responsibly to consumers of legal drinking age through the three-tier, state-based system of alcohol regulation and distribution. To learn more about America's beer distributors, visit www.AmericasBeerDistributors.com. For additional updates from NBWA, follow @NBWABeer on Twitter, watch NBWA videos on www.youtube.com/NBWABeer and visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/NBWABeer/.

The Beer Institute is a national trade association for the American brewing industry, representing both large and small brewers, as well as importers and industry suppliers. First founded in 1862 as the U.S. Brewers Association, the Beer Institute is committed today to the development of sound public policy and to the values of civic duty and personal responsibility: www.BeerInstitute.org. Connect with us @BeerInstitute and on Facebook.

   National Beer Wholesalers AssociationKathleen [email protected] or (800) 300-6417Beer InstitutePaul [email protected]

Source: National Beer Wholesalers Association and Beer Institute

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