How many calories are in that beer? It may soon be easier for beer aficionados to learn the answer.

The Beer Institute announced Tuesday a new voluntary initiative by member companies to disclose their products' ingredients and nutritional value openly by 2020. Under the terms of the Brewers' Voluntary Disclosure Initiative, that information can be displayed on product labels or made accessible through scannable QR codes or company websites.

Beer makers currently are not required to post nutrition labels on their products. That will change as part of the new initiative, with participating Beer Institute members agreeing to disclose calories, carbohydrates, protein, fat and alcohol by volume.

"Beer is the most popular alcohol beverage in the United States, and I look forward to brewers and importers including a serving facts statement along with disclosing all ingredients in their products," Beer Institute CEO Jim McGreevy said. "Providing meaningful information will ultimately empower the consumer when making decisions regarding the beer beverage of their choice."

Anheuser-Busch, MillerCoors, HeinekenUSA, Constellation Brands Beer Division, North American Breweries and Craft Brew Alliance have agreed to the new standards, the association said. Together, the companies produce more than 81 percent of the beer sold in the U.S. http://bit.ly/29xcvNn

Labeling has become a major policy issue for food and beverage producers in recent years. Last year, the Grocery Manufacturers Association announced the launch of SmartLabel, a voluntary initiative in which participating member companies agreed to disclose more information about their products' ingredients than currently required by the Food and Drug Administration.

SmartLabel was in part an attempt to satisfy critics who say foods containing genetically modified organisms should be labeled as such. In recent years, alcohol producers have come under increasing pressure by health advocates to be more open about what is in their products.

Still, labeling isn't cheap, which is why only large beer producers have announced they will do it as of yet. The Brewers Association—which represents smaller craft brewers—told the Associated Press it supports transparency in labeling but the cost will likely prevent many smaller companies from putting labels on their products. http://bit.ly/29Ec0AL

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