Collusion is proud to be a member of the Brewers Association, a non-profit trade organization consisting of brewers, wholesalers, retailers, suppliers and even individuals. Over 5,000 US brewery members and 46,000 members of the American Homebrewers Association come together to promote and protect American craft breweries, their beers and the brewing community.
The Brewers Association
Conceived initially in 1942 in Chicago as the Small Brewers Committee to discuss raw material supply during World War 2, it expanded to secure tax breaks for small brewers before pushing for the legalization of homebrewing in 1978 as the American Homebrewers Association. In 1982 they started The Great American Beer FestivalⓇ and have been instrumental in assisting the microbrewery movement in the US beginning in the 1980s.
In 2005 The Association of Brewers and the Brewer’s Association of America merged to form the Brewer’s Association to help give a voice to the growing craft brewery movement that contributes over $67 billion to the economy and provides nearly half a million jobs to Americans.
Goals of the Brewers Association
The Brewers Association is intended to promote and celebrate the traditional and innovative culture of American craft brewers by vigorously defending the industry and giving craft brewers a unified voice. This is done transparently within the organization to provide good stewardship for to help build on over 10,000 years of brewing history.
Association members support and encourage the responsible enjoyment of beer and education for brewers and consumers about the diverse world of beer. They believe in creating a safe culture to support brewing and the enjoyment of craft beer. Such efforts will only improve the economic health of craft breweries in the United States. They work to build a community of craft brewery, homebrewers and beer enthusiasts.
Another of the association’s goals is to promote both ethical and legal trade practices by building good relationships and collaborating with industry partners to foster a diverse craft brewing community. The end goal is to promote unity among craft brewers because by being unified the brewing community and those who enjoy their products will be stronger.
The Independent Craft Brewer Seal
So, how can you tell if you are drinking a beer from a member of the Brewers Association? Just look for their logo. In 2017 a special seal, the Independent Craft Brewer Seal, was developed for members to display. When you see the upside down beer bottle you know that you are helping to support an independent craft brewer and small business. American craft brewers have turned the beer world upside down, so when you see that seal at Collusion Tap Works and on our products you know that you are helping to celebrate the spirit of independence!