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Today, NBWA President and CEO Craig Purser released the following statement on the passing of his friend and colleague, Jerry Steinman:

Jerry Steinman was the founder and longtime publisher of Beer Marketers INSIGHTS (BMI), a trend-setting beer industry publication that has influenced the beer and beverage industry for decades. BMI broke new ground as a newsletter that demanded facts from beer industry members and turned that information into data and analysis. The BMI model has become the gold standard for the industry, the media and the public.

In addition to providing immeasurable value to the beer and beverage distribution industry, Jerry was one of those rare individuals who cared deeply about others. Every single conversation I had with him over the years included him asking about me and my family. He was quick-witted, thoughtful and kind.

It was no surprise that as Jerry was transforming the beer industry, he was also building a successful family business. Jerry’s son Benj, daughter-in-law Robin, and grandsons David and Jason, work together daily to keep the BMI legacy going strong.

I recall visiting with Jerry at one of my first state association meetings many years ago, the Mississippi Beer Distributors Association in Destin, FL. He shared with me some simple advice. He said that beer wholesalers only care about two things: their business and their family. His advice to me was “if you figure that out, you’re going be ok.” He was right.

The beer industry is stronger, and its people are better because of Jerry Steinman.