Rep. Kelly Celebrates American Craft Beer Week

WASHINGTON — The co-chairmen of the House Small Brewers Caucus – U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Patrick McHenry (R-NC), and Richard Neal (D-MA) – today marked the start of American Craft Beer Week by introducing H.Res. 884 in the House of Representatives to express appreciation for America’s independent craft brewers.

Joint statement by caucus co-chairmen:

“Our country’s booming craft brewing industry is not only a vibrant affirmation of the entrepreneurial traditions of the United States—it is a testament to the strength and importance of small businesses. With small and independent brewers in all 50 states, craft brewers make up a diverse and influential economic engine that provides jobs and supports agriculture and manufacturing across the nation. We are proud to be the largest bipartisan caucus in Congress and pledge to continue to promote and protect American craft brewing”

Bob Pease, President and CEO, Brewers Association:

“The small and independent craft brewer is the epitome of the American dream. We thank Congress for recognizing small and independent craft brewers’ entrepreneurialism, hard work and contributions to communities throughout the country.”

NOTE: Craft brewing represents more than 12.7 percent of the American beer market and directly supports more than 135,000 jobs across the United States. With a total economic impact estimated at $67.8 billion, craft brewers hold a significant position in our nation’s beer industry. The House Small Brewers Caucus, founded in 2007 by Rep. DeFazio, is a bipartisan group of 231 members from 43 states. It is the largest bipartisan caucus in Congress.

BACKGROUND: As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Kelly successfully fought for the inclusion of the bipartisan Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (H.R. 747) in the final passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1). The provision lowers the federal excise tax for breweries, wineries, and distilled spirits producers. With Pennsylvania being ranked the largest craft beer producer of all 50 states, it is a win not just for the hundreds of Keystone manufacturers and entrepreneurs in the industry but also the thousands of workers and livelihoods they are able to support—with many more jobs to come.

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