Senate Creates Small Brewers Caucus
By: Anthony Adragna
Published: June 22, 2011

The Brewers Association (BA) announced today that the United States Senate has founded a Small Brewers Caucus led by Senators Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho). The group supports the role of small and independent brewers as drivers of economic growth in the country. 
In a letter, the senators wrote "in recent years, the more than 1,700 craft brewers all across America have met growing consumer demand for their products by brewing flavorful and innovative beers which they encourage Americans to enjoy in a responsible manner. These small and independent brewers...generate more than $3 billion in wages and benefits, and pay more than $2.3 billion in business, personal and consumption taxes." 
Additionally, the group hopes to discuss strategies for increasing the role and importance of craft breweries in local economies. The 1,700 craft breweries across the nation provide some 100,000 part and full-time jobs. 
A House Small Brewers Caucus was formed in 2007.