$5.4 Billion Generated By New York State Craft Beer From Harlem To The Hudson

In 2018, the New York State craft beer industry generated $5.4 billion in economic contribution, as reported in an economic impact study funded by the New York State Brewers Association (NYSBA). The report measured the number of jobs, wages paid to employees and total output of New York’s 434 craft breweries.

In 2018, New York State craft beer generated:

• Economic Impact: $5.4 billion The combination of direct economic, supplier and induced economic impact.
• Direct Economic Impact: $3.5 billion The impact of the industry’s three-tiers: brewing, wholesaling and retailing, in addition to the tourism impact of visitors to breweries and taprooms.
• Supplier Impact: $1.1 billion The production and sale of goods and services across a multitude of sectors, such as purchasing equipment and bottles, banking and marketing services and government jobs for the regulation of craft beer related businesses.
• Induced Economic Impact: $771 million The spending of wages earned by employees in the direct and supplier sectors, such as dining at restaurants or attending universities.
• Employment: 19,918 jobs The total number of jobs supported by the direct supplier and induced impact. New York’s craft beer industry directly created over 10,627 jobs, generating $722 million in wages.
• State and Federal Taxes: $545 million The taxes paid by the businesses and their employees, as well as the excise and sales tax revenues of in-state consumption.
• Licensed Breweries: 434 breweries The number of craft breweries in New York State, which produced 2 million barrels of beer.
• Visitors: 48.6 million The number of customers served at New York State craft breweries, of which 8.9 million were tourists.

“With a record number of breweries in our state, our economic impact now rivals the wine industry,” said Paul Leone, executive director, New York State Brewers Association. “Thanks to great beer, craft-friendly legislation, and continued support from government leaders on both sides of the aisle, we can say that New York craft beer is a true manufacturing success story throughout the entire state.”

“I was really blown away by the results of this study,” said Chris Ericson, president of NYSBA and owner of Lake Placid Pub & Brewery and Big Slide Brewery & Public House. “These numbers validate that New York State brewers have a substantial impact on the lives of residents. We are providing excellent careers for thousands of New Yorkers in every corner of the state.”

The New York State Brewers Association website provides the economic impact by New York counties and by legislative district. An infographic highlighting the report findings is also available online.

The 2018 Economic Impact Study of the New York Craft Beer Industry was prepared by John Dunham & Associates (JDA).

Founded in 2003, New York State Brewers Association (NYSBA) promotes, protects and educates about the culture and business of New York State breweries. Their goal is to defend the vital interests of the New York State brewing industry while encouraging the consumption of fresh, local beer across the Empire State. With over 400 breweries, it’s easy to Think NY, Drink NY. More information is available at https://newyorkcraftbeer.com/.