Heise says his business has faced a similar situation in the past and is prepared to source products like aluminum cans outside of the U.S., given the uncertainty.

“The products that we get out of the U.S. are hops, aluminum cans, as well as some of the cardboard packaging,” he shared.

“All of those are somewhat concerning. There were aluminum tariffs and counter tariffs about five or six years ago that created a lot of chaos with the pricing of cans and the availability of cans. We ultimately had to start sourcing some out of Mexico as well as Asia and ordering months in advance, all sorts of things. It puts a lot of strain on us, a lot of stress.”

However, one local brewery said the proposed tariffs will not impact its business, as the shop does not rely on aluminum products for their craft beer.

“We’re a brew pub not a micro-brewery. The beer that we package, we do it the same way we did it 34 years ago, just in this big 650 millimeter glass bottles,” explained Grant Frew, bar manager at Bushwakker Brewpub.

“There’s a bottle cap so I don’t think the tariff is going to impact us too much. I guess we’re [an] anomaly.”

Frew added that even though his business will be spared the worst effects of the aluminum and steel tariffs, the tax imports will affect brewers as a whole.

“These proposed tariffs are not going to be good for the entire industry. It is going to affect brewing all across the nation, restaurants are going to feel it,” Frew noted.

“We’re just going to have to wait and see how things shake down, but it’s not a good feeling right now. We’re anxious.”