The alcohol industry may be under increasing scrutiny about its marketing practices, but none can deny the impact of the beer industry on the nation's economy. At least, that's what Beer Serves America—sponsored by the Beer Institute (Washington) and National Beer Wholesalers Association (Alexandria, Va.)—believes.
According to the organization, the U.S. brewing industry contributes billions of dollars of wages and taxes to the nation's economy. The group says a further indication of the importance of the beer industry is its inclusion in the basket of goods the government uses to calculate the Consumer Price Index.