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A coupla beer industry trade orgs and op-eds supporting related orgs have come out with statements strongly opposing tariffs on any aspect of the beer biz, while other wine & spirits trade orgs have at least asked for exemption too. “Tariffs increase the cost of goods sold for business and contribute to inflation for consumers, making it harder for them to buy their favorite beverages,” NBWA prexy Craig Purser said, adding “the idea that tariffs could be good for the beer industry does not make sense.” “A tariff would not bring brewing jobs to Montana,” stated Chuck Denowh, the executive director of United Property Owners of Montana, in an op-ed titled “Tariffs on Mexican Beer are a Tax on Montana Farmers,” published in the Missoula Current. “It would just make one of the most profitable products on the shelf less profitable, at the expense of Montana farmers, truckers, warehouse workers, family-owned distributors and the shopkeepers who depend on it.” This was in response to an earlier op-ed titled “Let’s Help Our American Brewers” from Bob Bergren, former Democratic Speaker of the Montana House, making the case for tariffs on Mexican beer imports thru the same talking points as Maine op-ed and Teamsters, lookin’ at the sizable wage gap between Mexico and US, and Mexican beer mkt share in US as key points. Tho similar to Maine, Mexican imports in MT under-index significantly to the natl numbers, at just over 5 share of total beer volume.Brewers Assn sez that “the proposed 301 tariffs will only add to rising cost headwinds facing U.S. craft brewers,” in comments submitted to the US Trade Representative earlier this mo, specifically referencing Canada, EU, UK, Australia and New Zealand inputs to consider. Craft brewers source “around 40% of their barley malt needs from Canadian sources,” lotsa brewing equipment and some packaging comes from the EU, and various hops come from EU, Australia and New Zealand, BA highlighted. Aluminum tariffs “already place a significant cost burden” on BA members and “proposed Section 301 tariffs would further intensify these pressures.” Org added that “sudden increases in cost to any part of the supply chain are difficult for small brewers to absorb.” Altogether, while only the MT op-eds directly refer to tariffs on Mexican beer imports, anti-tariff stances from NBWA and BA indirectly support conservative economist Stephen Moore and former Distilled Spirits Council of the US (DISCUS) economist David Ozgo’s main points from their May report (see Jul 21 issue).Meanwhile, DISCUS, American Distilled Spirits Alliance, and Wine Institute are among other alc bev orgs that submitted comments seeking exemption from any additional tariffs for their members’ products. DISCUS pointed to the 2.2% decline in domestic supplier sales including exports down 4% (Canadian exports down 63% to $88 mil) in 2025 vs 2024, as well as a “nearly 25% decrease” in the number of distilleries in the US from Aug 2024 to Aug 2025. It also suggests tariffs “created challenges” for the “struggling hospitality sector.” Each of the orgs point to wine & spirits’ unique geographic landscape spanning the globe depending on style as key factors. There’s one industry org that’s notably silent on this issue: Beer Institute. Signals the differing stances held behind the scenes by some of its largest members.

NBWA and BA Remain Anti Tariffs; Opposing MT Op-Eds; Wine & Spirits Assns Seek Exemption; Beer Inst Silent Amid Split Members

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