The Beer Institute has welcomed a decision by the US House of Representatives, the US Senate and President Donald Trump to implement a tax relief for brewers and beer importers.

The tax relief will be enforced for two years as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1).

Beer Institute president and CEO Jim McGreevy said: “The Tax Cut and Jobs Act will provide critical federal excise tax relief for brewers and beer importers of all sizes and will enable the US’ more than 5,000 breweries to add to the US economy through technology, innovation and jobs.

"The Tax Cut and Jobs Act will provide critical federal excise tax relief for brewers and beer importers of all sizes."

“We thank the more than 300 members of the House of Representatives and 55 members of the Senate who supported the Craft Beverage Modernisation and Tax Reform Act.”

The tax relief is expected to create an additional $320m in annual economic growth.and help small brewers to create jobs and invest more in their businesses.

Brewpubs operator Rogue Ales president Brett Joyce said: “Competition within the beer industry is thriving with more than 5,000 permitted breweries in the US and more than 1,300 breweries having been added to the US marketplace over the past two years alone.  Federal excise tax relief on beer will help support these small businesses.”

Founded in 1862 as the US Brewers Association, The Beer Institute represents brewers, beer importers and industry suppliers.