Brewers, Beer Importers Honor Senator Mark Udall
Senator Committed to the U.S. Beer Industry
WASHINGTON, DC – The Beer Institute, representing America’s brewers, beer importers and industry suppliers, awarded Sen. Mark Udall of Colorado with the 2014 Jeff Becker Beer Industry Service Award for his vigorous commitment to both beer and American beer drinkers.
Senator Udall accepted the award on Tuesday, May 13, during the Beer Institute’s Annual Membership meeting, held in Washington, D.C.
“Senator Udall has been an outstanding advocate for the brewing industry from Colorado to Capitol Hill,” said Luiz Edmond, Beer Institute Chairman and CEO of Anheuser-Busch. “He has proven over and over again his passion for and dedication to brewers and beer drinkers across the U.S. by fighting federal beer excise tax increases and protecting the industry from unnecessary government regulation.”
“Colorado is not only the largest beer-producing state in the country, we’re also the most innovative. That’s why I am honored to receive the Jeff Becker Beer Industry Service Award,” said U.S. Senator Mark Udall. “The brewing industry has played such a vital role in our state’s economy, contributing millions of dollars in wages and creating Colorado jobs. We need to help our brewers keep our pint glasses full and our economy strong.”
Sen. Udall is a lead sponsor for the bipartisan Brewers Excise and Economic Relief Act (BEER Act), bill S.958, having introduced the bill in three consecutive Congressional sessions. By seeking to roll back federal excise taxes for all brewers and beer importers, and ultimately reduce taxes for all beer drinkers, the BEER Act is the brewing industry’s best defense against proposals to increase a tax load that is already reaching more than 40 percent of the retail cost of beer.
Colorado is the top beer producing state in the country, home to an Anheuser-Busch brewery in Fort Collins, the Golden, Colo. MillerCoors brewery and many regional and small brewers in addition to industry suppliers. Altogether, beer contributes nearly $14.8 billion to the Colorado economy and more than 58,000 jobs—from farmers to factory workers and brewers to bartenders.
The Jeff Becker Beer Industry Service Award is named in honor of the late Beer Institute president. The award is given annually to an individual who embodies Becker’s passion for the work he loved through his or her loyalty, dedication and outstanding efforts on behalf of the nation’s brewing industry – a business that employs more than 2 million Americans and creates more than $246.5 billion in annual economic activity. Jeff Becker served as Beer Institute president from 1999-2010 before losing his battle with cancer in 2010.
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The Beer Institute is the national trade association for the American brewing industry, representing both large and small brewers, as well as importers and industry suppliers. First founded in 1863 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: www.BeerInstitute.org. Connect with us @BeerInstitute and on Facebook.
