U.S. Senate commends craft brewers with a resolution (passes with unanimous consent!)

It happens very rarely, but this is the scene when either house of Congress actually votes unanimously.

Remember American Craft Beer Week (ACBW)? Some of you might have hazy recollections, but from May 11-17, all 50 states witnessed more than 2,000 registered ACBW events, including exclusive brewery tours, special craft beer releases, food and beer pairings, tap takeovers and more, honoring the ever-advancing craft beer culture and uniting tens of thousands of beer lovers nationwide.

Well, the weeklong celebration honoring the country’s small and independent craft brewery renaissance did not go unnoticed by our government. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Susan Collins (R-Me.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) introduced a resolution, S. Res. 188, expressing the Senate’s appreciation of the goals of the week and commending the craft brewers of the United States. The coolest part? The U.S. Senate passed S. Res. 188 by unanimous consent.

“American Craft Beer Week is about supporting and celebrating small and independent brewers,” said Julia Herz, publisher of CraftBeer.com and craft beer program director at the Brewers Association. “We are thrilled to see the U.S. Senate recognize the week and commend the accomplishments of small brewery businesses, each of whom are a driving economic force and cultural bright spot for this country.”

In addition to expressing gratitude for the goals of ACBW, the resolution recognizes the significant contributions of the craft brewers of the United States to the economy and to the communities which the craft brewers are located. The resolution also commends craft brewers for providing jobs, supporting agriculture, improving balance of trade — particularly by producing many sought-after new and unique styles ranging from smoked porters to pumpkin peach ales — and educating the country and beer lovers around the world about the history and culture of beer, while promoting legal and responsible appreciation.