Wingnut
Footballguy
http://www.craftbeer.com/brewers_banter/stone-brewing-looking-to-brew-up-business-in-alabama
Stone Brewing Co. is looking to build a new brewery and restaurant in Alabama. Unfortunately, current laws prohibit breweries from selling beer directly to the public. According to the Alabama Brewers Guild, lawmakers are trying to amend these laws in order to allow breweries producing over 25,000 barrels certain privileges:
Lawmakers and economic policy officials in Alabama have drafted and introduced House Bill 581 and Senate Bill 439 to allow a brewery located in Alabama (producing over 25,000 barrels) to open a restaurant and sell beer directly to the public.
Fortunately, Stone fits into that category. Unfortunately, small and independent craft breweries in Alabama do not. In fact, Alabama doesnt have one existing brewery currently producing over 25,000 barrels.The Alabama Brewers Guild says, While Alabamas small brewers understand and support efforts to make our state a friendly location for the craft brewing industry and to leverage craft beers huge tourism and economic development potential, this should not come at the expense of the states own brewing community.
Stone agrees. According to Al.com, The chief operating officer of Stone Brewing Co. has issued a statement in support of Alabamas local craft brewers, saying that any change to the states alcohol laws should benefit smaller operations as well as large ones.
Stone Brewing is all for changing laws in order to support craft brewing, but takes a stand if those laws exclude local breweries. Stone Brewing may seem like the big guys compared to Alabama breweries, but in the grand scheme of things, they are still a small and independent craft brewery.
While the current laws are being reviewed, the Alabama Brewers Guild and Alabama craft breweries urge craft enthusiasts to write to legislative sponsors and members of the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee.
Time is running out to amend the decision, as the legislative session is ending soon. Its looking as if Stone may have to pack up its pint glasses and seek another place to call home. If thats the case, the lawmakers of Alabama could expect to have some not-so-happy homegrown craft brewers on their hands. We shall see
Stone Brewing Co. is looking to build a new brewery and restaurant in Alabama. Unfortunately, current laws prohibit breweries from selling beer directly to the public. According to the Alabama Brewers Guild, lawmakers are trying to amend these laws in order to allow breweries producing over 25,000 barrels certain privileges:
Lawmakers and economic policy officials in Alabama have drafted and introduced House Bill 581 and Senate Bill 439 to allow a brewery located in Alabama (producing over 25,000 barrels) to open a restaurant and sell beer directly to the public.
Fortunately, Stone fits into that category. Unfortunately, small and independent craft breweries in Alabama do not. In fact, Alabama doesnt have one existing brewery currently producing over 25,000 barrels.The Alabama Brewers Guild says, While Alabamas small brewers understand and support efforts to make our state a friendly location for the craft brewing industry and to leverage craft beers huge tourism and economic development potential, this should not come at the expense of the states own brewing community.
Stone agrees. According to Al.com, The chief operating officer of Stone Brewing Co. has issued a statement in support of Alabamas local craft brewers, saying that any change to the states alcohol laws should benefit smaller operations as well as large ones.
Stone Brewing is all for changing laws in order to support craft brewing, but takes a stand if those laws exclude local breweries. Stone Brewing may seem like the big guys compared to Alabama breweries, but in the grand scheme of things, they are still a small and independent craft brewery.
While the current laws are being reviewed, the Alabama Brewers Guild and Alabama craft breweries urge craft enthusiasts to write to legislative sponsors and members of the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee.
Time is running out to amend the decision, as the legislative session is ending soon. Its looking as if Stone may have to pack up its pint glasses and seek another place to call home. If thats the case, the lawmakers of Alabama could expect to have some not-so-happy homegrown craft brewers on their hands. We shall see