The Economic Impact of Craft Distilleries and Breweries on Local Communities
Have you ever been to a craft brewery or distillery? If yes, you must have had an amazing sensory experience. The aroma of the hops, the warmth of the barrels, and the loud chatter of the locals discussing their daily affairs is a one-of-a-kind experience for anyone. But did you know there is more to the story of these breweries and distilleries than a glass of beer? These small craft breweries aren’t just producing good-quality beer, they are also contributing to the local communities and bringing life to them.
The Rise Of Craft Distilleries and Breweries
The craft movement is a celebration of the locals and their creativity. Unlike the mass-produced beers available to you, craft beers are produced in limited quantities. The brewers constantly experiment with the tastes, aromas, and quality to create a unique experience for the people.
The movement has grown exponentially over the last few years with craft distilleries and breweries coming up in major parts of the USA. To give you an idea, let us tell you the statistics. According to the Brewers Association, small and independent breweries almost contributed $72.2 billion to the U.S. economy in 2022 and created around 460,000 jobs. These stats clearly show the impact of beer created by craft brewers goes far ahead of what we think.
Currently, the trend has even expanded to other countries with the UK, Germany, and Asia-Pacific region taking the craft beer industry by storm. But the real question still remains! Why are they becoming famous?
This is because the appeal of craft beers does not lie in their taste and aroma. It also lies in their stories. The current generation feels more connected when they know the story behind a brand. They want to know where their drinks came from, who made them, and what was the process and thought behind it. This shift has resulted in the growth of craft breweries and distilleries all around the world.
The Economic Impact Of Craft Distilleries and Breweries
The small breweries and distilleries have tapped into a market that offers economic support to local communities living in the area. Here is how:
1. Job Creation
One of the most direct ways in which they create an impact is by providing jobs to the locals. A brewery or distillery requires people with different skill sets like brewing, distilling, marketing, distribution, sales, and accounting. They can easily hire people from nearby areas and provide them with jobs without having to leave their homes. This is especially true for traditionally underserved communities.
2. Supports Agriculture
As we have discussed so far, craft breweries focus on good quality. As a result, they source ingredients from local farmers. This creates a bond between breweries, distilleries, and local farmers. They depend on these farmers for hops, barley, traditional herbs, fruits, and homegrown honey. Many brewers and distillers have also adopted the farm-to-glass concept where they produce their own ingredients. This practice is really commendable when it comes to saving traditional agricultural practices in the region.
3. Increased Tourism
Fans of craft beer are more than willing to travel far and wide so as to enjoy beers with unique flavors. They even want to acquire information concerning the brewing as well as distilling processes. Such an inflow of people can greatly affect the economy at various destinations. People who go there also need places to eat, to shop, and accommodation to stay. This brings business to local communities and adds money to the economy.
4. Provides a “Third Place”
According to sociologist Ray Oldenburg, a third place is an area where people spend their time apart from home (first place) and work (second place). Craft distilleries and breweries are acting as these third places for members of the community. People from all age groups can come together, relax, engage in a fun chat, and forget about all their worries. Breweries even host events like yoga classes, meditation classes, live shows, and art displays to support local artists.
5. Philanthropic Activities
Most of the craft breweries and distilleries also give back to their communities in the form of charity. This is done either by hosting charity events or donating a portion of their sales every year. This is because independent and small businesses like these understand the value of their hometown and know that they exist only because their hometown does.
Conclusion
Moving forward, the future of craft breweries and distilleries looks quite bright. As the preferences of the consumer change, they are shifting more towards craft beers that have a story to tell. This trend will further increase as craft breweries continue to experiment with flavors and tastes and keep bringing out something new. The next time you are enjoying a beer in a craft brewery, keep in mind that they are not only serving you a beverage but they are also supporting local communities.