Craft brewers contribute USD 79 billion to US economy

USA | The Brewers Association (BA) estimates that small and independent craft brewers contributed USD 79.1 billion to the U.S. economy in 2018, which is roughly 0.4 percent of gross domestic product.

The 2018 numbers, which were released on 25 September 2019, mark a 4 percent increase from 2017, highlighting the industry’s steady performance across the country.

The calculation is derived from the total impact of beer brewed by craft brewers as it moves through the three-tier system (breweries, wholesalers and retailers), as well as all non-beer products such as food and merchandise sold in brewpub restaurants and brewery taprooms.

The BA says that craft brewers provided 559,545 jobs, with 150,055 jobs directly at breweries. In addition, more than USD 5 billion in wages and benefits were provided to brewery employees through 2018.

Currently, more than 7,500 breweries operate in the US.