Charleston brewers fear aluminum tariffs will increase costs

Charleston-area craft brewers are concerned about new 25 percent tariffs on imported aluminum and steel. These tariffs, effective this week, are expected to increase costs for beer cans and kegs, impacting small breweries the most. Brewers like Pearce Fleming of Commonhouse Aleworks say rising prices could hurt their already low profits. They face additional costs from grain and brewing equipment, making it harder to operate and discouraging new breweries from entering the market. The Aluminum Association notes that U.S. manufacturers cannot meet demand, leading to reliance on pricier imports. Brewers worry that larger companies will dominate domestic supplies, further increasing costs for smaller operations.