From a carton of beer, approximately $13 is paid straight back to the Government in excise tax. In the US it is more like $1.10. On average in the USA, regardless of alcohol content excise on a 500L batch of beer equates to $35 federal excise and in the case of Washington State, $24 in state excise (this varies from state to state) making it a total of around $59. In Australia a 500L batch costs $700 for a 5% ABV beer meaning in the USA excise is only 10% of the value of the Australian excise system.

Beer and Brewer magazine
Issue 16, Autumn 2011