In Central Minnesota, the Beverage Manufacturing industry serves as a notable economic driver, offering employment opportunities and contributing to the region's economic vitality. From large-scale breweries and bottling plants to niche distilleries and specialty beverage producers, the sector provides more than 1,000 jobs across various occupations. With a focus on both production and hospitality, these businesses create jobs ranging from brewers and distillers to sales representatives and tasting room staff. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, it plays a role in supporting local communities and providing sustainable employment opportunities for residents throughout Central Minnesota.

This sector includes a wide range of activities such as the manufacturing of alcoholic beverages like beer, wine and distilled spirits, as well as non-alcoholic beverages such as bottled water, soft drinks, juices and energy drinks. The Beverage Manufacturing industry encompasses various stages of production, including sourcing raw materials, processing, bottling, packaging and distribution. Whether it's a craft brewery crafting small-batch beers, a winery producing fine wines from locally grown grapes, or a large-scale bottling plant producing soft drinks for mass consumption, the Beverage Manufacturing industry is a diverse and dynamic sector that caters to a wide array of consumer preferences and demands.

Central Minnesota has specialized in Beverage Manufacturing since German immigrants brought the brewing culture to the area in the 1800sA, but the Prohibition dismantled the thriving brewery industry. Fast-forward to more recent times and Central Minnesota is again hitting above its weight in beverage production. The region has the highest concentration of Beverage Manufacturing employment of the six planning areas in the state, and with a location quotient of 2, employment in the sector is twice as concentrated as what you'll find across Minnesota (see Figure 1).

Unlike the hiccups from past, Beverage Manufacturing has enjoyed two decades of surging growth with only a single year of job loss recorded in 2009. Since then, Beverage Manufacturing employment has grown 83%, or eight times faster than the broader regional economy!

Despite that impressive trend, the statewide growth is even more aggressive, growing 121% over the same 20-year period. This means that while Central Minnesota still has the highest concentration of employment in the sector, other regions have been seeing faster growth.

Beverage Manufacturing proved to be resilient during the 2020 recession, bubbling with growth while other types of Manufacturing were left flat or experienced job loss and setbacks, curtailing employment for several years. The future looks fizzy for Beverage Manufacturers and workers, with 10-year growth projections showing a 25% increase in employment, more than twice as fast as statewide projections and five times faster than the growth for the broader regional economy. With opportunities overflowing like a well-poured pint, the Beverage Manufacturing sector is set to raise spirits and quench thirsts for years ahead. Cheers!

For More Information

Contact Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, at luke.greiner@state.mn.us