Welcome to National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) Web site! NBWA is proud to represent the more than 2,750 licensed beer distributors throughout the United States. America's beer distributors have operations in every state and congressional district in the country and employee more than 90,000 hard-working Americans. They work hard every day to ensure that the greatest choice, variety and selection of beer is delivered safely and efficiently to store shelves and bar taps. And distributors do more than just deliver beer. they are civic and business leaders who are active in their communities. Beer distributors promote responsible consumption, combat drunk driving and work to eliminate underage drinking. Beer is no doubt one of life's simple pleasures, and it has an important and unique place in American society. Few people stop to think about how that ice cold beer you enjoy at the end of the day makes its way from a brewer or importer to the shelf of your favorite store, or your favorite restaurant or bar.
Beer distributors are a critical link in a three-tier distribution system, regulated by the states, that is designed to provide a tremendous variety of beer brands and styles to consumers at a great value. While delivering this wide variety, distributors also make sure that states receive their fair share of tax revenue and alcohol products are kept out of the hands of those not of legal drinking age.
There are more than 13,000 different brands of beer available in the U.S. today - few other products boast such a tremendous selection. It's because of the very important role beer distributors play - giving smaller, more unique beers a vehicle to market - that consumers enjoy the selection they desire at a great price. Throughout 2008, NBWA and America's beer distributors are celebrating an important anniversary - the 75th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition. On April 7, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the modified Volstead Act that legalized the sale of 3.2 percent beer in the United States following a 13 year prohibition. This marked the beginning of the end for the "failed experiment" known as Prohibition. The ratification of the 21st Amendment on December 5, 1933 offically ended Prohibition and gave rise to the three-tier system of alcohol regulation and distribution that still works in the U.S. today. On behalf of America's more than 2,750 licensed independent beer distributors, welcome to the NBWA Web site and thank you for learning more about what we do and who we are. Cheers! Craig A. Purser, CAE President, National Beer Wholesalers Association