Sobering Statistics: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Drained Oregon’s Beer Industry

Some industries are considered “recession-resistant”: when people have less money to spend, certain sectors — like grocery and funeral services — remain strong. And some — like cosmetics — actually do better, as consumers look for cheaper ways to treat themselves.

Historically, alcohol has been one of these industries, and the pandemic recession has been no exception: according to a June report from International Wine and Spirits Record (IWSR), sales of alcohol in the United states saw a record spike in sales in 2020, with an overall increase of 2%, the largest since 2002.

But Oregon alcohol producers have struggled. According to the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, brewers sold 324,159 fewer barrels of beer in Oregon in 2020 than 2019, a decline of 22%.

*Reported by Oregon Business