Monday, April 13, 2009

Don't Blame Beer Drinkers!

Sit at any bar in the U.S. (and perhaps around the world) and you're likely to hear conversations about relationships, politics, religion, and more recently the economy.

Here's a little economy and beer news: The Beer Industry Contributes Nearly $200 Billion to U.S. Economy!

WASHINGTON, /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

A new economic impact study shows America's beer industry, made up of brewers, beer importers, beer distributors, brewer suppliers and retailers, directly and indirectly contributes more than $198 billion annually to the U.S. economy. The study, commissioned by the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA), also shows that the industry provides nearly 1.9 million jobs -- generating nearly $62 billion in wages and benefits. The industry also paid $41 billion in business, personal and consumption taxes in 2008.

According to the study, the beer industry directly employs more than one million people, paying $28 billion in wages. Beer sales help support roughly 888,000 retail jobs, including those at supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, bars, stadiums, and other outlets and generate more than $25 billion in economic activity in agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

"These numbers demonstrate that our industry is essential to several sectors of the U.S. economy, particularly as the nation struggles to regain its footing in this uncertain climate," said Jeff Becker, president of the Beer Institute. "For this reason, it is important that state and federal officials consider equitable tax policies that do not unduly harm an industry that provides so many domestic jobs and so much economic growth."

So, there you have it good Sirs and Ladies -- drink up and continue to stimulate the U.S. Economy.

Sir Bowie "planning to help tonight" of Greenbriar

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Doncha just love it when these studies are commisioned by the very people who benefit by them... :)... I mean what answer do they want ending up on their desk??..

ahhh the ol' employment argument.. the same one the NRA, Boxing, Coffee, the arm manufacturers who make those little cluster bomb thingys, and didn't george jung quote the Employment figures at his trial for Cocaine trafficking in the seventies...

yup there's a lot of folk out there working at jobs... making and doing things to harm their fellow humans...

doesn't it make you warm inside?

Sir dayvd ( the pen is mightier than the sword ) off Oxfordshire :))

Anonymous said...

don't forget my home state - and the tobacco grown there

oh well, a beer or two makes the world seem a little friendlier as we gather together to discuss deep thoughts - you know, solving huge troubles over a drink makes the world go around - or is that love?

(mixing up my songs here - think maybe I should go mix a drink instead? nope, clock says too early)

off to walk in the sunshine instead

Lady Suzanne of Greenbriar

Anonymous said...

ah so its you...youre one of those thats out there walking in the sunshine...lol....

Don't mind me... I love a beer...but I've got my... "I've got a pile of work seventy storys high and there are people down there in the park below my window, laying around in the sunshine and drinking beers and leaving the bottles behind while i am stuck inside grafting...." head on today....hurumph... Do these people work?...or are my taxes paying for their alfresco libations...

Sir dayvd ( getting grumpier as he gets older ) of Oxfordshire

Anonymous said...

walking in the sunshine is what I do for Me, along with other exercises to take care of this body : )

all the rest of the stuff in my life is for the people that I love

frankly I could care less about dusting and laundry and doing taxes and...all those chores : (

take a break - I'm sure you've earned it!!

Lady Suzanne