Trump's tariffs on imported aluminum hit NC craft beer industry

The Trump administration's tariff on imported aluminum is hitting the North Carolina craft beer industry where it hurts.

The new and shiny beer cans at Raleigh's Trophy Brewing come with an added cost.

"Cans usually cost about 9.5 cents each, but we're currently paying a half penny more than that," said Les Stewart with Trophy Brewing.

Stewart said the half penny ends up costing plenty – as there are 8,169 cans per pallet.

"It's about $40 a pallet (extra)," he said. "We run through about three pallets a week, so about $150 a week, and that's just cans."

Stewart said on top of cans, there are lids that are going up a similar percentage.

Brewers across the country are scrambling to order before prices rise even more, which means supplies are short.

Stewart has to order different lids, which means tweaking his tools, which leads to waste.

"As a percentage of increase that we are looking at now, this is something that we are simply going to swallow," he said. "However, if it continues to grow, that will be a cost that accumulates in such a way that it will have to be passed on to consumers."

The tariff can also affect the cost of kegs and brewing equipment.