A Labor Day Reflection: More than 2 million Americans at work because of beer

Raising a craft beer brand takes a village. The 456 employees of New Belgium Brewing actually own the company they work for.

Through the sheer economic output of brewing and beer importing, more than 2 million Americans are at work in jobs linked to the beer industry, according to an announcement from the Beer Institute. From craft to global beer giants, this American workforce generated $246.5 billion in economic activity last year, according to a recent study jointly commissioned by the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association.

“Labor Day is the perfect time to recognize the men and women who work in brewing and beer importing, or any one of the dozens of industries associated with beer,” said Joe McClain, president of the Beer Institute. “Creating jobs on farms and in factories, in breweries of all sizes and in local bars and taverns, the beer industry is a powerhouse in the American economy.”

There are more brewing establishments today than at any other time in U.S. history; these brewers and importers maintain high-quality jobs, paying out $3.6 billion in wages and benefits in 2012. Additionally, beer distributors, retailers and other valuable supply chain industries, like barley growers, hops farmers, can makers and bottle manufacturers all depend on the brewers and importers to maintain their businesses and workforce.

“As Americans relaxed with a beer this holiday weekend, we hope they toasted the two million men and women who played a role in bringing that cold beer to their table,” added McClain.

The American beer industry includes: 2,851 brewing establishments; 3,728 distributors; and 576,353 retailers. The men and women at work in the beer industry are active and responsible members of the communities in which they live and work. In the past three decades, brewers and beer importers have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in alcohol awareness and education programs designed to promote responsibility and help prevent underage drinking and drunk driving. Furthermore, brewers and beer importers share a long commitment of support for education, health initiatives, environmental stewardship and our nation’s armed forces.

For more information about the economic impact of beer in the United States, including state and Congressional district data, please visit www.BeerServesAmerica.org.