We find ourselves in unprecedented times. Due to the novel coronavirus many breweries across the country have had to close their tasting rooms and pivot to new business models such as curbside pick-up and delivery to get their product to the marketplace in states where those practices are legal.

Though we are a flexible and innovative industry it is apparent that many breweries will be forced to close if things continue the way they are. We need Congress to take action and provide breweries and other small businesses with the tools they need to survive.

Congress is set to begin work on the next large legislative package to help businesses and individuals who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. We need your help to promote our message with Congress, that is why we’re asking you to join us on Wednesday, April 22 for a Day of Action.

The Brewers Association along with other beverage alcohol producers are asking Congress to:

• Authorize the Department of the Treasury to create a Workforce Stabilization Fund for the hospitality and travel sectors that will allow breweries to keep workers employed, maintain operations, and meet financial obligations.
• Suspend all federal excise tax obligations on domestic and imported alcohol products, effective January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020.
• Enact a permanent extension of the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (H.R. 1175/S. 362) .
• Approve additional funding to support the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans. In addition, adjust the cap on small business loans from 250% of monthly payroll costs to 400% of monthly operating costs to give businesses the necessary flexibility they need.
• Create temporary tax incentives that encourage consumers to return to on-premise dining and drinking establishments when public health officials determine it’s safe.
• Encourage the Administration to work with our trading partners to simultaneously suspend tariffs that impact alcohol producers and our supply chain partners.

On Wednesday, April 22, use this simple form to share your story and encourage Congress to support small and independent breweries across the country.

The Brewers Association is also working with the Beer Institute and National Beer Wholesalers Association on a beer tax credit for unmerchantable beer, a credit that would be applied against all federal taxes — not just income taxes — and would provide immediate and badly needed liquidity to breweries. This issue does not impact other beverage alcohol producers, and is not included in the form, breweries who are impacted can add it to the customizable email.

We hope that you and your staff will take the time to send an email or a tweet to your legislators. This is your opportunity to make sure that your voice, and the voices of other breweries like yours are heard.