Topic Archives: Beer Legislation

Posted in Beer News, Cooperstown Brewing

Senator Shumer Seeks Tax Cuts For NY Small Brewers

Senator Chuck Shumer recently visited Cooperstown Brewery in Milford, New York to talk tax cuts.  A lot of politicians are starting to see the benefit of stimulating the small brewing business.

The proposal would cut the excise tax in half, from $7 to $3.50 for the first 60,000 barrels.  That equates to 210,000 in savings, potentially creating a new job at the brewery.  Cooperstown only employes 5 full timers, and 2 part time individuals.  [NewsChannel34]

Posted in Beer News, Dogfish Head

Dogfish Head, Delaware, & The Brewers Employment & Excise Relief

Senator Chris Coons  recently visited Dogfish Head Brewery in Milton, Delaware to discuss the Brewers Employment & Excise Relief Act.  The Act seeks to stimulate small brewery business, and help them grow during a critical stage in development.  Highlighting from the press release

The Brewer’s Employment and Excise Relief Act redefines what it means to be a “small” brewery to one that produces up to 6 million barrels per year (up from 2 million barrels). It then recalibrates the federal excise tax on “small” brewers by:

  • Reducing the rate on the first 60,000 barrels each year from $7 per barrel to $3.50 per barrel
  • Reducing the rate on barrels 60,001 through 2 million from $18 per barrel to $16 per barrel

For Dogfish Head, which produces more than 125,000 barrels of its craft brews each year, this could mean savings of $340,000 a year that can be reinvested in new employees, production enhancements, and new products.

 

Full Press Release

MILTON, Del. – In a visit to the Dogfish Head Craft Brewing Co. on Monday, U.S. Senator Chris Coons reiterated his commitment to helping small businesses grow and getting more Delawareans back to work. Senator Coons underscored his support for S. 534, the Brewer’s Employment and Excise Relief Act, which would help small breweries like Dogfish increase production, development and local hiring.

“Dogfish Head is one of Delaware’s great small business success stories,” Senator Coons said. “What Sam and his team have built here is a terrific example of what can be done when talent,creativity and hard work are combined with the tools and resources to succeed in this competitive market. Washington needs to be doing all it can to help get more Americans back to work, and that means helping small businesses like Dogfish grow. The Brewer’s Employment and Excise Relief Act helps level the playing field for small breweries and makes it easier for them to grow at what is a critical stage in their development.”

“We are proud of our Delaware roots here at Dogfish Head and we are proud to have Senator Chris Coons as our senator,” said Dogfish president Sam Calagione. “Both he and Senator Carper understand that righting our country’s financial ship begins at home with small businesses and main street jobs.  Senator Coons is a co-sponsor of S 534, legislation that will allow small American family-owned breweries to add thousands of jobs in every state across the nation. He has championed the importance of small business on many fronts many times. Our Dogfish Head production facility is on Chestnut Street in Milton and our pub is on Rehoboth Ave but our company is adding dozens of Main Street jobs this year and it is great to know we have the support and commitment of Senator Coons as we do our small part to move our local economy forward.”

The Brewer’s Employment and Excise Relief Act redefines what it means to be a “small” brewery to one that produces up to 6 million barrels per year (up from 2 million barrels). It then recalibrates the federal excise tax on “small” brewers by:

  • Reducing the rate on the first 60,000 barrels each year from $7 per barrel to $3.50 per barrel
  • Reducing the rate on barrels 60,001 through 2 million from $18 per barrel to $16 per barrel

For Dogfish Head, which produces more than 125,000 barrels of its craft brews each year, this could mean savings of $340,000 a year that can be reinvested in new employees, production enhancements, and new products.

“Whenever I visit one of Delaware’s innovative manufacturing businesses, like Dogfish,” Senator Coons said, “I ask the same question: what can I do to help you grow? Sometimes it’s an introduction to another business or elected official. Sometimes it’s legislative. But the key is, we need to make sure Delaware’s businesses have the tools they need to grow.”

S. 534 was introduced earlier this year by Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.). It is cosponsored by Senator Coons and a bipartisan array of 34 additional senators, including – locally – Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.).

Posted in Beer News, Cool Stuff, Videos

Wisconsin Bar Holds Beer Protest

Wisconsin Bar Holds Beer Protest

Wisconsin Bar Holds Beer Protest

There is a power play occurring in Wisconsin right now, between the big guys and the little guys.  A provision was inserted into the states budget (pushed by Miller-Coors) that will essentially prevent growth of craft breweries in the state.  In a few cases, could put breweries out of business.

As a way of protesting the the budget proposal, The Firehouse Bar in Eau Claire, Wisconsin held a “dumping” event.  If you ordered a “big beer” product and dumped it out, you received a craft beer for free. It continued until no more Miller-Coors products were left at the bar.

Liquid Protest? WEAU.com

Posted in Beer News, Brewery Expansions, Surly Brewing

Surly Succeeds! Destination Brewery On The Way

Surly Brewing fans rejoice.  Today is a good day. Beer legislation is working in your favor.  In their 5th year, Surly has been planning a $20 million dollar “destination brewery.”  This issue was Minnesota laws prevented the dream from being realized.  The biggest issue was the prevention of being able to sell pints of beer at the brewery.

The Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association a liquor lobby, was standing in opposition of Surly’s plans.  The brewery hired lobbyists & fought back on behalf of the “Surly Nation” and won.  The law has been softened to allow breweries producing less that 250,000 barrels a year to be excluded from current regulations.

The new destination brewery will have a beer garden with rooftop terrance, restaurant & bar.  Location TBD.  <StarTribune>

Full list of Surly’s Plans HERE

Posted in Surly Brewing, Videos

Surly Bill May Meet With Success

Surly Brewing has been planning an expansion after 5 years, with a rooftop restaurant & beer garden. A pesky 1933 law has kept them from moving forward with construction. Yesterday, the “Surly Bill” looks to have gained some political traction. <NBC11>

Posted in Beer News

Georgia Sunday Sales Out of Committee!

Finally out of committee!!!  From the Peach Pundit:

Sunday Sales advocates rejoice.  The Senate Republican caucus has just voted and SB 10 will be allowed out of Rules and will be voted on as a stand alone bill, not as an amendment to SB 150, on Wednesday.

There are some technical corrections that need to be made to SB 10, so expect amendments.  I would envision the amendment process to get quite lively.  If you enjoy good political theater, get down to the Capitol early Wednesday, and bring a Costco sized tub of popcorn.

 

Posted in Beer News

GEORGIA: Sunday Sales Vote Today?

Creative Loafing’s “Fresh Loaf” is reporting that the Sunday Sales could see a floor vote today, but not as SB 10.  Apparently there are enough senators demanding sunday sales see the light of day, so it has been attached to SB 150.  If it passes, it would be up to local governments to allow or disallow the sales of beer/wine/liquor on Sunday.

From the Fresh Loaf Article:
While the bill came through the Regulated Industries Committee and Rules Committee ”clean”, the amendment to attach Sunday Sales is expected on the Senate floor. I’m told there is a heated battle among Senate heavyweights to demand the bill be “engrossed”, which would prohibit amendments. This generally from Senators who find a recorded vote on Sunday Sales a lose-lose for them, or who can profit from a non-vote as a win-win. The engrossment of a bill is usally only done on a finance or ethics bill, so a vote for engrossment on this bill can be viewed as a proxy for those who do not want a Sunday Sales vote.

Researching this situation.  More to follow…

Full Article Link —> http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/2011/03/14/sunday-sales-legislation-to-gulp-rise-from-the-grave-today

AJC Link —> http://bit.ly/e6dGrp