National not-for-profit trade ground the Brewers Association (BA) today announced the organization’s priorities and initiatives for 2021.
The BA, which promotes the interests of small and independent craft brewing companies, shared in an email to members that its board of directors held its final meeting of 2020 in which the organization’s 2021 budget was approved and the trade group’s agenda and priorities for the new year were set.
The association broke those priorities into four focus areas:
- Promotion;
- Diversity, equity and inclusion;
- Federal and state legislative affairs;
- Technical resources.
“While remaining lean to weather economic fluctuations and uncertainty, the association’s 2021 plan provides invaluable support to members and guilds by adding new industry-wide initiatives and resuming some of the programs that were paused in 2020 due to pandemic-related budget cuts,” BA president and CEO Bob Pease and board chair Dan Kleban wrote. “The Brewers Association will continue to capitalize on digital technology platforms to deliver most of its programs and communications and stay in touch with membership — including quarterly town hall meetings — while in-person contact remains limited.”
Here’s a rundown of those focus areas.
Promotion: BA to Launch New, On-Premise Marketing Campaign
The BA plans to roll out a new, national on-premise marketing campaign in spring 2021 in an effort to “build awareness and influence consumer behavior to create purchasing occasions that support small and independent brewpubs and taprooms nationwide.”
The organization said additional details on the campaign will come in the months ahead.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: BA Hires Dr. J. Nikol Jackson-Beckham Full Time
As Brewbound reported today, the BA has hired its diversity ambassador, Dr. J. Nikol Jackson-Beckham, full time as the organization’s equity and inclusion partner. Jackson-Beckham will manage a dedicated Diversity, Equity and Inclusion department. Click here to read more.
Federal and State Legislative Affairs: Federal Excise Tax Extension Tops Priorities
An extension of the federal excise tax cuts that brewers and importers have enjoyed since 2017 remains atop of the BA’s list of federal priorities. The Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA) is slated to expire at the end of 2020.
Time is running out, as the legislative session is slated to wrap up on December 11.
The BA said if federal excise tax is not extended or made permanent, then the organization will lobby for a reintroduction and retroactive passage early in 2021 by the 117th Congress.
“Without action from Congress, America’s more than 8,400 breweries along with beer importers will face a nearly $154 million annual federal excise tax increase beginning in January 2021,” BA leaders said.
In addition to making federal excise tax cuts permanent, the BA is seeking coronavirus relief legislation such as the Restaurants Act, which would provide grants for breweries and the hospitality industry; additional Paycheck Protection Program funding and the ability for small businesses to apply for additional loans; fixes to tax and regulatory issues within the CARES Act; and the passage of a one-time tax credit for perishable goods.
The BA added that it will provide the Biden administration and new members of Congress with information about the impact of small brewers and the group’s priorities.
On the state level, the BA said it will continue to support state guilds in seeking improved market access through several areas, including “bill monitoring, guild communication and strategy support, talking points, testimony, or media support.”
“When requested, the Brewers Association will help guilds seek permanency of temporary market access provisions — such as to-go sales, delivery, and direct-to-consumer shipping — and defend against threats to take away rights,” BA leaders wrote.
Technical Resources: BA to Resume Quality, Safety and Sustainability Outreach Programs
In 2021, the BA will resume its quality, safety, and sustainability outreach programs in 2021 through virtual programs. According to the BA:
- “Safety Ambassador Matt Stinchfield will continue his work with both state guilds and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), exploring opportunities to establish alliances and provide OSHA inspector training on brewery operations.
- “Sustainability Ambassador Matt Gacioch will resume work helping breweries manage their resource use through the Brewers Association Sustainability Benchmarking tools.
- “Planning is underway to transition the Basics of Beer Quality Workshop to a virtual learning format.”
The BA has already begun developing a draught line cleaning safety training, which is being funded by a grant awarded by the Department of Labor and OSHA.
Finally, the BA Technical Committee and subcommittees will continue to produce resources to meet technical and regulatory challenges.
BA leaders will further detail its 2021 plans during a virtual town hall meeting for its members on Tuesday, December 8, at 3:30 p.m. EST. Look for coverage on Brewbound next week.