Happy Weekend Everybody! Its time for a review of the top headlines in craft beer news from the past week. The craft beer industry never disappoints when bringing the most interesting headlines to mainstream news. This week, we take a look at updates in craft beer legislation. Some good, some bad and some downright misleading.
Craft Beer Legislation
North Carolina: Misleading Jobs Petition Could Hurt Small Craft Beer Brewers
This petition against brewery law/distribution revisions is misleading, by Jonathan Wells – Creative Loafing
There is a petition floating around the internet called, Protect North Carolina Beer Jobs. Sounds like something any of us would sign. After all, we want to support the craft beer industry in our states and love to see more jobs coming into our communities because of it.
Upon closer inspection, this petition actually benefits and supports House Bill 625 and House Bill 278 which seek to bring “contract brewing” to North Carolina and revise current self-distribution laws that would harm small breweries.
In a recent post on Facebook, North Carolina’s Fullsteam Brewery founder Sean Wilson commented on the misleading petition:
I would hope that my friends who work in North Carolina beer distribution would publicly distance themselves from this unfortunate PR effort. Few organizations contribute more to elect politicians than the NC Beer and Wine Wholesalers. And yet they have the audacity to launch this public offensive, accusing craft brewers with this slick nonsense.
Nebraska: New Pro Craft Brewery Legislation Advancing
Nebraska senators advance package of alcohol bills to benefit craft breweries, hard ciders – Associated Press
New alcohol legislation cleared the first-round debate this past Tuesday in the Nebraska Legislature. The vote was
32-3 to advance new tax credit for brewers who use Nebraska-grown hops and barley.
Nebraska has 38 breweries but only 12 acres of hops statewide. The incentive should encourage Nebraska farmers to begin adding hops to their crop rotation.
The legislation also redefines hard cider as beer, rather than wine, and promotes the sell of growlers of craft beer for off-site consumption.
Florida: Legislation Moving Forward But With Future Worries
Craft Brewing Bill Likely to Be Approved, by Zac Anderson – The Ledger
There is a bill in the Florida Legislature likely to pass this spring designed to bring stability to the industry but threatens long-term growth.
The compromises of the bill were hard for some to accept. This brought a rift to the Florida craft beer industry, with some brewer’s association members not renewing memberships. The troubles center around direct sales to consumers questions. Direct sales to consumers has become a prime source of income for breweries and taprooms across the state.
Give this article a read if you live in Florida. There is a lot of beer income riding on this decision and will most likely affect your local craft brewery in a big way.
Byron Burroughs, owner of Proof Brewing Co. (Brendan Farrington / The Associated Press)
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