• Texas Legislature
State to launch dangerous chemical site
State to launch dangerous chemical site

On Monday, a House committee tasked the State Fire Marshal’s …

What's next for the Public Integrity Unit?
What's next for Public Integrity Unit?

Days after Governor Perry cut funding to the Travis …

Perry courts Connecticut gun makers on tour
Perry courts Conn. gun maker on tour

Texas Gov. Rick Perry has come to Connecticut in search of gun …

School sanctions bill vetoed by Perry
School sanctions bill vetoed by Perry

Gov. Rick Perry has vetoed a bill that aimed to replace …

Perry signs school marshal bill, vetoes measure to train school workers
Perry signs school marshal bill

Gov. Rick Perry has vetoed a bill that would have provided …

Advertisement

Craft beer bills back in business

Would allow on-premises sales at small breweries

Updated: Wednesday, 13 Feb 2013, 7:46 AM CST
Published : Tuesday, 12 Feb 2013, 9:34 PM CST

AUSTIN (KXAN) - In 2011, several bills geared toward the growing craft beer industry in Texas made a splash, but none passed.

Two years later, the craft beer movement in Texas is still thriving and new bills have been filed for the 83rd Texas Legislature.

Senate Bills 515, 516 , 517 , and 518 were filed by state Sen, Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, on Tuesday.

The legislation would allow small breweries to sell limited amounts of their own beer to customers visiting their breweries.

It will also allow brew pubs to sell a limited amount of their beer to wholesalers for distribution to grocery stores and liquor stores. In 2011, this bill was House Bill 660.

“Government shouldn’t be involved in picking winners and losers in the private sector. Texans believe consumers make the best choices about products in the free market,” said Eltife. “These four bills level the playing field for the small business segment of the Texas brewery industry.”

While the bills in 2011 failed to pass, some small breweries decided to go the lawsuit route to grow their business.

In December 2011 , U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks ruled in favor of Jester King Brewery against the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Because of that ruling, breweries can now call beers that have more than five percent alcohol "beer" instead of "ale." Breweries can now also let customers know where they can purchase the company's beer.

While it's still too early to say how these bills will be received this session, expect to hear from the craft brewers, distributors, and big beer companies over the next few months.

 


Opinions that are derogatory, attack other users or are offensive in nature may be removed. KXAN is not responsible for the content posted in this comment section. We reserve the right to remove any offensive or off-topic remark or thread. To mark a comment for review by a moderator, click "Report Abuse."

 

comments powered by Disqus

Advertisement
  • Most Popular Stories
    No Stories Available
Advertisement

Site Tools

Advertisement