Report: Craft beer contributes $6.5 billion+ to California economy

The following data and infographic comes to us from the California Craft Brewers Association. I mean, we already knew Californians liked to brew and drink craft beer, but sheesh. For more industry stats from 2014, check out coverage from the Craft Brewers Conference this year.

2014 Data: Craft Beer in California

Economic Impact: In 2014, craft beer contributed more than $6.5 billion to the economy of California. That’s up 18% from 2013. This is a fairly conservative number and there will be a more accurate and most likely higher number in June.

The craft beer industry in California has a higher economic impact than any other state in the U.S.

Employment: In 2014, craft brewers employed more than 48,000 Californians.

Growth: During 2014, the number of operating breweries grew by over 24%, making a total of 520 operating breweries in California.

Taxes: In 2014, California craft brewers paid over $56 million in state and federal excise taxes and paid more than $1.3 billion in income and other local, state and federal taxes ($880 million in state and local income taxes and $465 in federal income taxes).

Production Volume: 3.5 billion barrels (bbls).

Exports: 1.3 million bbls. That’s still higher than the total production of all but two other states (PA and CO).