How Trump’s Tariffs Could Crush America's Small Craft Brewers

The Hidden Cost of Trade Wars on Your Favorite Local Brews

While tariffs on imported goods often grab headlines for their impact on big industries, one overlooked casualty may be your local craft brewery. The Trump administration's proposed trade policies could slap hefty new costs on aluminum and imported ingredients—costs that small brewers may not survive.

Why Aluminum Prices Are a Brewing Disaster

Most craft beer comes in aluminum cans and kegs, which rely on foreign-sourced materials. Recent tariffs have already driven up aluminum prices by 30% since 2018, and new proposals could push them even higher. For small breweries operating on razor-thin margins, these extra costs could mean:

• Higher prices for consumers – A six-pack that once cost $10 may soon hit $14.
• Fewer new beers on shelves – Brewers may cut back on experimental batches.
• Potential layoffs or closures – Some small operations may not survive.

Import Tariffs Threaten Specialty Ingredients

Craft brewers often rely on unique hops, malts, and yeast strains from Europe and other regions. New tariffs could make these specialty ingredients prohibitively expensive, forcing breweries to:

1. Switch to lower-quality domestic alternatives.
2. Reduce variety, sticking to only the safest-selling brews.
3. Pass costs directly to beer lovers.

What Small Brewers Are Saying

Industry leaders warn that the craft beer boom—which has created thousands of jobs and revitalized local economies—could stall under these policies. "We’re not multinational corporations," says one Colorado brewer. "A 10% cost increase could wipe us out."

Is There Any Relief in Sight?

Some lawmakers have proposed exemptions for small businesses, but so far, no clear solution has emerged. Until then, beer enthusiasts may soon be paying more—or saying goodbye to their favorite independent brews.

What Do You Think?

• Should small businesses get tariff exemptions while big corporations pay?
• Is protecting domestic industries worth higher beer prices?
• Could this push craft brewers to switch to bottles, even if cans are more eco-friendly?
• Would you still support tariffs if it meant losing local breweries?