Craft Breweries Across U.S. Brace for Tariff Impact

American breweries are facing increased costs due to tariffs imposed on imports from Canada and Mexico, particularly affecting the prices of aluminum cans and malted barley. Kansas City Bier Company recently notified customers about the necessity to pay import duties for Canadian equipment, emphasizing that small local businesses, rather than large corporations, will bear these costs. In California, local breweries like Alameda Brewing are anticipating significant price increases of up to 80% on beer costs due to rising ingredient prices, affecting their ability to compete. Similar concerns have been echoed across the country, with businesses bracing for double-digit price hikes for essential goods, including ingredients for baked goods and other food products. The uncertainty surrounding these tariffs has left many in the food and drink industry feeling stressed and unsure about future pricing strategies. As breweries navigate these challenges, some are considering raising beer prices or exploring alternative suppliers to mitigate the impact of tariffs.