A couple of days ago, an article was released on the Texas Craft Brewer's Guild website outlining the economic impact Texas craft beer had in 2011. While the numbers were good, they could be much better. In 2011, Texas craft beer had a $608 million impact on the economy. While that may seem like a lot, $5.6 billion sounds even better, and that's exactly what Scott Metzger, founder of Freetail Brewing in San Antonio, thinks could happen by 2020 with the help of more lenient beer laws in Texas.
Take a look at this graph that was put together.
While more lenient beer laws will certainly help, it all starts with you, the consumer. Every time you walk into a beer store or a bar, you are essentially voting every time you buy or don't buy something. You have the power to show how important it is to support your local brewers.
The statistic that really surprised me was the fact that 88% of craft beer that was consumed in Texas was made by non Texas breweries. That, for me, is an unacceptable number that needs to be much lower, and we can do it.
As you can see from the numbers above, it's important to support your local brewers. Not only does it have an economic impact, but it creates jobs and helps create a unity within the community.
Let's do something about this! As I said above, we have the power to make this happen. Show these lawmakers how important it is to you. It's as easy as following any or all of these next bullet points.
Take a look at this graph that was put together.
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| Photo Source: www.texascraftbrewersguild.org |
While more lenient beer laws will certainly help, it all starts with you, the consumer. Every time you walk into a beer store or a bar, you are essentially voting every time you buy or don't buy something. You have the power to show how important it is to support your local brewers.
The statistic that really surprised me was the fact that 88% of craft beer that was consumed in Texas was made by non Texas breweries. That, for me, is an unacceptable number that needs to be much lower, and we can do it.
As you can see from the numbers above, it's important to support your local brewers. Not only does it have an economic impact, but it creates jobs and helps create a unity within the community.
Let's do something about this! As I said above, we have the power to make this happen. Show these lawmakers how important it is to you. It's as easy as following any or all of these next bullet points.
- Follow and support the Texas Craft Brewers Guild.
- Follow and support Open the Taps, a grassroots organization moving toward real change in the legislation to help Texas breweries thrive.
- Buy local. This one is easy considering how many breweries and brewpubs Texas now has. Make it a goal to buy more local. You never know, you just may find your new favorite beer from someone right down the road.
- Here's a list of Texas breweries and brewpubs currently operating. You have many great options to choose from, and many more to come in the future!
- Make it a habit to order local first.
- Check out local happy hours. Many times, bars will have great happy hours on Texas craft beer.
- For example, every Sunday Draught House has $2.75/pint for Texas beers
- Go on a local brewery tour. This is not only an easy and direct method to get access to the beer, you also see the faces behind the beer. It's kind of like going to the farmer's market and getting to know the farmers. Only here, it's with beer.
- One of the laws that needs to be changed is to be able to buy the beer at the brewery, similar to what you can do at a winery.
Remember, Support Your Local Brewers. Cheers!
To read the full article about the economic impact of Texas craft beer, go here.
