Economy

The United States of distilleries, mapped

The number of Americans who work in alcohol production has more than tripled over the last two decades.
Barrels of spirits are seen at the Baltimore Spirits Company distillery, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

The number of Americans who work in alcohol production has more than tripled over the last two decades, with craft spirits, craft beers and wineries exploding in popularity as states slowly liberalize Prohibition-era rules that have long dominated the industry.

A new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics finds more than 185,000 Americans worked in distilleries, wineries and breweries in 2021, up from just 60,000 who worked in those businesses in 2001.

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