Turns out beer can brew up big bucks, at least according to three associations that represent the industry.

A report by the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association concluded the beer industry generates $253 billion in economic activity, produces $48.5 billion in tax revenue and supports 1.75 million jobs. At the same time, the Brewers Association reports the craft beer sector continues to grow.

The Beer Institute/NBWA report was based on analyzing government and industry data. It found that the beer industry's economic output was the equivalent of 1.5 percent of the nation's gross domestic product.

Other findings:

• Brewers and beer importers directly employ 49,576 Americans.
• Suppliers to the brewing industry—enterprises that manufacture bottles and cans, cardboard case boxes, brewing equipment or marketing displays, for example—generate more than $83 billion in economic activity and are responsible for more than 383,190 jobs.
• More than $48.5 billion in tax revenue is generated by the production and sale of beer and other malt beverages.

"It can be said that beer truly serves America. Beer is more than our nation's favorite adult drink—it is a powerhouse in job creation, commercial activity and tax revenue," said Jim McGreevy, president and CEO of the Beer Institute.

And a greater portion of that beer is coming from craft brewers, according to the Brewers Association. Craft brewers produced 12.2 million barrels of beer in the first six months of 2015, up from 10.6 million barrels the same time last year and up from 5.5 million just four years ago.

"More and more Americans are discovering the joys of enjoying fresh beer produced by their neighborhood brewery," said Bart Watson, chief economist for the Brewers Association. "By supporting local, small and independent craft breweries, beer lovers are gradually returning the United States to the system of localized beer production that existed for much of our nation's history."

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