WASHINGTON, D.C.— More than six months after the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act became law, craft beverage producers have lots to be ‘hoppy’ about. With lower taxes, breweries, distilleries, and wineries across America are now able to grow production, invest in new equipment, and increase hiring, joining a list of more than 500 companies expanding and offering bonuses thanks to tax reform.
With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, everyone has had a reason to raise a glass to the growing American economy. Will Democrats continue to be buzzkills and double down on their promise to raise taxes and slow growth?
Read on for just a few examples of how craft breweries, distilleries, and wineries are seeing success under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:
Gnarly Barley (Hammond, Louisiana) – Expanding employee benefits and is now the 43rd fastest growing brewery in America:
Cari Caramonta, owner of Gnarly Barley, ”This is really going to help save us a lot of money and be able to treat our employees even better and allow them to have some health benefits and continue to grow.” – January 4, 2018 FOX 8 New Orleans interview quote
Biscayne Bay Craft Brewery (Miami, Florida) – Hiring two new employees and purchasing new equipment:
Consider the story of Jose Mallea, owner of Biscayne Bay Craft Brewery, who participated in President Trump’s event. The tax cuts have allowed him to purchase $100,000 more in equipment and hire two new employees. – April 29, 2018 Tallahassee Democrat article excerpt
Ghostface Brewing (Mooresville, North Carolina) – Hiring new employees, purchasing more equipment, and increasing distribution:
Mike Cuddy, owner of Ghostface Brewing in Mooresville, N.C., said his company also used the tax break to buy more equipment, hire more people and focus on distribution to local grocery stores and restaurants. – April 26, 2018, MarketWatch article excerpt
Gray Skies Distillery (Grand Rapids, Michigan) — Expanding production:
Gray Skies has been in business for around two and a half years and has recently been able to expand production because of one specific aspect of the GOP tax law. It’s called the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, which was an amendment to the big picture bill Trump signed into law in December.
There’s a lot to the law, but here’s why it matters to Gray Skies and other distilleries like it: excise taxes are much, much lower for them now. 80% lower to be exact.
“The instant a drop of alcohol is produced, tax is owed on that,” said Steve Vander Pol, who co-founded Gray Skies and serves as the head distiller.
The law reduces excise taxes on producers from $13.50 per proof gallon for the first 100,000 gallons produced to $2.70 per proof gallon.
“We’re talking thousands of dollars every quarter that we’re saving,” Vander Pol said, “and obviously for someone on this sized scale to write a check that’s reduced by 80% is pivotal. It’s been huge for us.” – June 4, 2018, WZZM article excerpt
Jordan Winery (Healdsburg, California) — $1,000 bonuses for each of its 85 employees:
In response to the tax cut bill that passed this week, John Jordan, owner of Jordan Winery in Sonoma County, California, announces that he will give all eligible winery employees a $1,000 bonus as a result of the passage of the 2017 tax reform bill. – Dec. 22, 2017 Jordan Winery press release
Keg Creek Brewing (Glenwood, Iowa) – Expanding operations, purchasing new equipment:
“A small brewery in Glenwood, Iowa, in Mills County called Keg Creek is expanding their operations and investing in new equipment as they grow.” – June 11, 2018, Rep. David Young statement on U.S. House Floor
Shortway Brewing Co. (Newport, Connecticut) — Increasing wages and hiring new employees:
Mr. Shortway said the new tax plan, along with the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, also passed last year, have already helped the brewery save money. The craft beverage act greatly reduced excise taxes on small-scale brewers and the tax plan has additional provisions designed to help small businesses. – May 11, 2018, Carteret County News-Times article excerpt
Southern Grace Distilleries (Mount Pleasant, North Carolina) – Hiring new employees, expanding visitor center, and investing in business expansion:
“The reduction in the federal excise tax has allowed us to hire additional staff, increase our whiskey production, expand our visitor center and invest in marketing which is critical to the growth of our Conviction Small Batch Bourbon brand,” said Southern Grace Distilleries CEO Leanne Powell. “At the end of last year our bourbon was available in NC, SC and Washington, DC. Today you can also find Conviction Small Batch Bourbon in Louisiana, Illinois, Oklahoma and Connecticut. We couldn’t be happier.” – April 26, 2018 Southern Grace Distilleries press release excerpt
St. Augustine Distillery (St. Augustine, Florida) – Hiring new employees, purchasing new equipment and inventory:
“As a young business facing more than their share of regulatory challenges, the St. Augustine Distillery was relieved, to say the least, when the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act was signed into law. The distillery announced shortly after the bill’s passage that they would be using their savings to make further investments in their employees and increase their equipment and inventory, creating new local jobs and hiring additional staff to manufacture, market, and sell their products.” – May 17, 2018, Rep. John Rutherford statement on U.S. House Floor