Tariffs hit small Pacific Northwest brewers harder than big beer [Video]

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – Craft breweries in the Pacific Northwest may soon face rising costs as new tariffs threaten to shake up the supply chain behind one of the region’s most iconic industries: beer.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on a wide range of Canadian imports — including key raw materials used in brewing and packaging beer. For many small breweries, that’s a major concern.

“Grains and hops — they’re our two biggest costs,” said Mat Sandoval, co-founder of Living Haüs Beer in Portland. “Grain is the biggest impact. I’d say 75 to 80% of the grain we use comes from Canada.”

Most U.S.-grown barley is already contracted by large beer corporations or exported to Mexico, according to the Brewer’s Association, leaving many independent breweries dependent on Canadian suppliers.

“Each time we do a single turn through the brewhouse, we’re using anywhere from 1,000 to 1,500 pounds of grain,” Sandoval said.

But it’s not just the grain. The cans and steel kegs …