The brewing industry directly and indirectly contributes nearly $190 billion to the U.S. economy, according to an economic impact study commissioned jointly by the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA). This impact includes more than 1.7 million jobs paying almost $55 billion in wages.
"Independence Day is the perfect time to celebrate America's rich brewing tradition and the economic contributions that helped build our nation," said August A. Busch IV, president and chief executive officer, Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc., and chairman of the Beer Institute. "We all know the role George Washington and the Founding Fathers played in forming our great nation, but less well-known is that many of them were brewers who proudly promoted the brewing industry throughout the colonies. Their vision to establish beer as an economic force for the nation's future served the country well during its infancy, and the brewing industry continues to serve as a force for economic prosperity to this day."