Beer industry has $6.6B impact on Mich. economy

If you’ve popped the top on a cold one in the last year, you’ve contributed to the more than $6.6 billion impact the beer industry has on Michigan’s economy. That’s according to a joint study released Tuesday by the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association.

According to the study, the industry contributes more than 35,000 direct jobs to the state economy while generating nearly $1.2 billion in federal, state and local taxes.

Beer sales resulted in 1,152 jobs for brewers, 4,250 jobs for wholesalers and 30,149 jobs for retailers, generating a total of $1.04 billion in wages, the study said.

Other industries that strongly affect the economic impact are agriculture, business and personal services, general manufacturing, travel and entertainment and wholesalers, according to the study.

“Beer is more than our nation’s favorite adult drink; it is a powerhouse in job creation, commercial activity and tax revenue,” Jim McGreevy, president and CEO of the Beer Institute, said in a statement.

Across the U.S., the beer industry accounts for nearly $253 billion in economic activity and produces $48.5 billion in tax revenue while supporting 1.75 million jobs.

Michigan is eighth in total jobs and 14th in total economic output. California ranks first in both categories.

John Dunham & Associates conducted the research in concert with the Beer Institute and NBWA. Data came from industry and government sources, with job numbers estimated as of September 2014.

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