A new holiday celebrating small and independent U.S. craft breweries will take place the Sunday after Thanksgiving, on December 1. The Brewers Association – the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers – has created the inaugural “Small Brewery Sunday” celebration to encourage beer lovers to support craft brewers and seek the independent craft brewer seal, a certified mark that identifies beer brewed by independent brewers.
Small Brewery Sunday aims to support craft brewers during one of the busiest shopping weekends in the U.S. and highlight their contributions as small businesses. According to the 2018 Economic Impact Report released by the Brewers Association, the craft brewing industry contributed $79.1 billion to the U.S. economy and provided 559,545 total jobs. In addition to providing jobs and a space for community building, craft brewers also support tens of thousands of nonprofits and charitable organizations. According to the Brewers Association, craft brewers gave an estimated $92.6 million to charitable organizations in 2018.
“Every dollar a beer lover spends at a craft brewery and buying their craft beer at stores and restaurants, fuels a small business and supports the economic health of its local community,” said Julia Herz, craft beer program director, Brewers Association. “Small Brewery Sunday gives us beer lovers a formal reminder that when we buy a growler, crowler, six-pack or pint, we are supporting small brewery businesses and helping them keep their doors open, lights on and fermentation tanks full.”
About the Independent Craft Brewer Seal
For years, small and independent U.S. craft breweries have been turning the beer world upside down. Their ability to take risks, innovate flavors and build better communities has made the U.S. the craft beer capital of the world.
To proudly display that independent spirit, the Brewers Association created a symbol to unify U.S. craft breweries and those who want to support them. This certified mark gives beer lovers an easy way to identify independent craft beer.
Whether you’re a brewery, a retailer or a supporter, it’s time to join the movement. Celebrate the spirit of independence by adopting and activating the independent craft brewer seal.
What Defines a Craft Brewer?
The Brewers Association defines an American craft brewer as a small and independent brewer.
Small: Annual production of 6 million barrels of beer or less (approximately 3 percent of U.S. annual sales). Beer production is attributed to a brewer according to the rules of alternating proprietorships.
Independent: Less than 25 percent of the craft brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by a beverage alcohol industry member which is not itself a craft brewer.
Brewer: Has a TTB Brewer’s Notice and makes beer.
