American Beer Act cuts taxes on beer sold in Missouri
Sam Roe
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed the American Beer Act earlier this month, which will reduce excise tax on beer sold in Missouri.
All beer made in America will be taxed at 2 cents per gallon when sold in Missouri. Kehoe signed the bill at the Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis. The new law will provide a tax break not only for the largest breweries in Missouri but also the small craft breweries in Mid-Missouri.
“Obviously, our brewers make significantly less beer, but a tax relief is tax relief,” said Sherry Wohlgemuth, executive director of the Missouri Craft Brewers Guild. “So, especially facing some of the tariffs and things that will start adding to the bottom line for everyone in the brewing industry.”
Despite already having one of the lowest tax rates on beer at 6 cents per gallon, the new malt liquor excise tax rate of 2 cents per gallon will tie Missouri with Wyoming as the lowest in all 50 states.
Mid-Missouri brewers such as Logboat in Columbia and Last Flight in Jefferson City will benefit from their reduced tax bill.
“This will save them, probably several thousand dollars in taxes,” Wohlgemuth said. “They can use that money for growing their business instead of paying taxes on it. So, it’s a win for everybody that’s making beer in the state of Missouri.”
The American Beer Act will also expand the hours that alcohol can be served during next year’s FIFA World Cup. Licensed servers will be able to sell alcohol for 23 hours per day from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
The new law will take effect on Aug. 28.