USA: Assessment of the economic significance of beer industry
In the U.S., the beer industry alone employs approximately 1.78 million Americans, paying them $5 billion in wages and benefits, according to the March 2006 International Center for Alcohol Policies findings.
The U.S. brewing industry today includes more than 2,400 brewers and beer importers, 1,908 beer wholesalers, and 551,000 retail establishments. The beer industrys economic ripple effect benefits packaging manufacturers, shipping companies, agriculture, and other businesses whose livelihood depends on a healthy beer industry.
In the U.S., the beer industry alone pays over $30 billion in business, personal and consumption taxes, including $9.2 billion in excise taxes.