A report issued by four leading beer-related organizations paints a grim forecast for workers tied to the brewing industry. The prediction is that 650,000 jobs will be lost by the end of 2020 due to the pandemic.
“Those jobs include everything up and down the value chain, including craft brewers, distributors, hop growers, keg makers, retailers, bartenders, etc.,” said Bart Watson, chief economist at the Brewers Association.
His organization contributed to the report in conjunction with the Beer Institute, the National Beer Wholesalers Association, and the American Beverage Licensees.
According to the economic-impact study group, Beer Serves America, the industry generated more than 2.1 million jobs before the pandemic. As a result, $328 billion has been funneled into the U.S. economy.
Until consumer spending rebounds, and restrictions to brewpubs and bars are lifted, industry trackers say furloughs and layoffs will continue.
Watson cited in particular the losses felt by small and independent craft brewers.
“They have been great job creators and this is extra painful to see the hit they’re taking,” he added. “We hope that Congress will act to support small hospitality businesses and make permanent the excise tax re-calibration for small producers that have been so beneficial to the economy in recent years.”