USA: Nevada remains the No. 1 state in terms of per-capita beer consumption

As the No. 1 beer imbibing state in the country, it’s not surprising that Nevada enjoys a significant economic impact from the beer industry, Reno Gazette-Journal posted on June 11. Annual per capita consumption of the sudsy beverage averaged 44 gallons for people 21 and older in the Silver State in 2004, compared with the national average of 30.5 gallons, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Beer Institute.

Lester Jones, Beer Institute director of statistical and information services in Washington, D.C., said state statistics hold no surprises.

“The data on how much beer is shipped to wholesalers in Nevada comes from breweries shipping into the state and what’s produced in-state,” said Jones. “The per-capita figures are straight population from the U.S. Census.

“But your per capita is higher because of the disproportionate number of tourists. (Shipment numbers are) just the sum of total beer sold in the state, going to residents and tourists.”

Research sponsored by the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association shows that beer-related businesses — which include brewers, wholesalers and retailers — contributed $1.38 billion to Nevada’s economy last year, an increase of $381 million since 2001.

The industry accounts for 17,402 Nevada jobs, which pay $528 million annually in wages, an increase of 3,500 positions and $139 million in wages from 2001. And the industry in the Silver State generates more than $280 million in federal, state and local taxes.

“We are extremely proud to be a significant contributor to the Nevada economy,” said NBWA President David Rehr. “We are businesses that have a national economic impact and, at the same time, positively touch nearly every community in Nevada, providing jobs for our fellow citizens and tax revenues for our towns and cities.”

Beer Institute President Jeff Becker said the study “demonstrates that the industry is made up of more than just those who make and distribute our products.”

“We are an industry of farmers, can manufacturers, truck drivers, retailers, among others,” Becker said.

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