Washington, D.C., Oct. 17, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Beer Institute is honoring U.S. Representative Al Lawson (D-FL) as one of the Beer Institute’s “2019 Beer Champions.” The Congressman was selected for his leadership in championing free trade policies that provide brewers and beer importers transparency and stability in the aluminum market.
“America’s brewers and importers are pleased to honor Representative Lawson. His tireless effort to build support for policies enable our nation’s breweries and beer importers to continue to innovate, hire more employees and contribute $328 billion to our nation’s economy,” said Jim McGreevy, President and CEO of the Beer Institute. “I look forward to continuing to work with him on issues that will allow brewers and beer importers of all sizes to brew America’s favorite alcohol beverage – beer.”
“Brewers play an incredibly important role in our agricultural economy,” Rep. Al Lawson said. “They help build and grow American jobs which bolster local economies, including communities throughout Florida’s 5th District. I am proud to receive the ‘2019 Beer Champion Award’ and will continue working in Congress to support brewers across the nation and in Florida.”
Florida is home to 427 breweries, and the beer industry helps create 153,000 jobs in the state.
Rep. Lawson introduced the Aluminum Pricing Examination (APEX) Act (H.R. 1406) with Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) to allow more oversight and investigation into the aluminum market, providing transparency and stability brewers need to can their beer for consumers.
Last year, the beer industry used more than 36 billion aluminum bottle and cans.
###
The Beer Institute is a national trade association for the American brewing industry, representing brewers of all sizes, as well as beer importers and industry suppliers. First founded in 1862 as the U.S. Brewers Association, the Beer Institute is committed today to the development of sound public policy and to the values of civic duty and personal responsibility. For additional updates from the Beer Institute, visit our website, follow @BeerInstitute on Twitter, like the Beer Institute on Facebook, and follow the Beer Institute on Instagram.