South Carolina Brewers release survey study showing 80% won’t be able to remain open more than three months; call on SCDOR for relief

The South Carolina Brewers Guild, the trade association for the state’s 92 breweries and brewpubs released recent internal survey data gathered from its members. The numbers were very concerning:

• On average, sales from breweries and brewpubs are down by 70%. With about 45% showing sales declines over 80%.
• 35% of all breweries have ceased production entirely, with 60% slowing it.
• About 70% of breweries have been forced to lay off or furlough employees.
• Perhaps the most concerning finding in the survey was that 80% of respondents won’t remain open after three months – with 15% saying they won’t be able to stay open another one to four weeks and 65% saying they likely will only be able to stay open between one and three months.

The Guild also renewed calls for the South Carolina Department of Revenue to ease restrictions to allow for home delivery and direct shipment of products in order to balance the needs of commerce with the promotion of public health and social distancing needs. At least twenty-six other states have already enacted such temporary emergency measures for their breweries and brewpubs. The Guild requested that SCDOR also extend relief to retailers such as bars and restaurants as well.

Said Guild Executive Director Brook Bristow, “allowing these practices would ease the strain on the economy while promoting proper social distancing, self-isolation, and quarantine protocols by providing one more way to keep people at home with their families while allowing the hospitality industry to better take care of theirs. “

The state’s brewing industry supports roughly 5,000 jobs and last year, made an economic impact of $796 million dollars.