Our 1990 Congress reclassified beer as a “luxury” item and doubled the excise tax on this popular beverage. Taxes are now the single most expensive ingredient in beer, making up more than half its cost. Critics say middle and lower-income Americans, who comprise the vast majority of our nation's 90 million beer drinkers, cannot afford this tax on one of their few “luxuries.” They claim these Americans are already amongst our most heavily taxed. Studies have found that households with annual incomes of less than $50,000 pay more than half of all beer taxes. Some argue against reducing beer taxes or the cost of beer. They claim studies have shown that when beer prices increase by 1%, traffic fatalities drop by 1%. Industry advocates claim other studies show little correlation between the cost of alcoholic beverages and the rate of traffic accidents. In 2005, total taxes levied on the production, distribution and sale of beer amounted to $32 billion.

Proposed Legislation: H.R.767 - Fair BEER Act (114th Congress 2015-2016)
Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Steve Womack (AR)