Industry Description
Establishments primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of beer, ale, porter, and other fermented malt beverages.
Business Examples
Common types of business activities within US SIC 5181 - Beer and Ale are:
- Ale-wholesale
- Beer and other fermented malt liquors-wholesale Porter-wholesale
IBISWorld Industry Research Report
Beer Wholesaling in the US (42481)
Revenue 2025
$94.7bn
Growth 2025
1.32%
Key Trends
Small-scale craft breweries have become increasingly popular among consumers
Beer excise taxes are usually put onto retailers
Increased interest in craft beers will support industry growth
Products and Services
US-SIC Hierarchy 5181 - Beer and Ale
US-SIC Code 5181 - Beer and Ale sits in the 2-digit Beer and Ale sector. US SIC codes can be 2 to 8 digits and the further along the hierarchy, the more detailed and specific the category will be.
Division: F
Division Title: Wholesale Trade
2 Digits 3 Digits 4 Digits
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501 Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies
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502 Furniture and Home Furnishings
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503 Lumber and Other Construction Materials
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504 Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies
- 5043 Photographic Equipment and Supplies
- 5044 Office Equipment
- 5045 Computers and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software
- 5046 Commercial Equipment, Not Elsewhere Classified
- 5047 Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies
- 5048 Ophthalmic Goods
- 5049 Professional Equipment and Supplies, Not Elsewhere Classified
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505 Metals and Minerals, Except Petroleum
-
506 Electrical Goods
-
507 Hardware, and Plumbing and Heating Equipment
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508 Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies
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509 Miscellaneous Durable Goods
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-
-
511 Paper and Paper Products
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512 Drugs, Drug Proprietaries, and Druggists' Sundries
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513 Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions
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514 Groceries and Related Products
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515 Farm-product Raw Materials
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516 Chemicals and Allied Products
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517 Petroleum and Petroleum Products
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518 Beer, Wine, and Distilled Alcoholic Beverages
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519 Miscellaneous Non-durable Goods
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Extended US-SIC Hierarchy for 5181 - Beer and Ale
For business marketing and targeting, US SIC Codes have been extended to provide more specific classifications within US-SIC 5181 - Beer and Ale. Extended US SIC Codes are being continuously updated to reflect the current business environment.
6 Digit SIC Codes
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518101 Beer & ale-wholesale
8 Digit SIC Codes
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51810000 Beer and ale
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51819900 Beer and ale, nec
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51819901 Ale
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51819902 Beer and other fermented malt liquors
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51819903 Porter
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