Last Chance To See 600 sq mi: Hidden
Missed Connections: Gefilte Fish...and "Chain Connections"
H-Town Rock
Rock Talk, Vol. IX
Our love of beer has been well documented, and we’re certain plenty of you wonderful readers enjoy it as well. State Representative Jessica Farrar (D-Houston) must enjoy a good brew, because a new bill that she has filed would allow you to purchase a six-pack or case of beer directly from the brewery.
Farrar’s bill (HB 2094) proposes that brewers with a production run of no more than 250,000 barrels of beer annually would be allowed to sell up to 5,000 barrels directly on their premises. There are many arguments for the bill, but distributors are the ones that are up in arms about it, arguing that such legislation would slice into their profits.
That excuse seems a bit of a stretch to us. At any rate, direct sales are not only money funneled back into the local economy, but also would provide increased awareness and visibility for craft breweries. One could make several arguments about how it would be better for the economy, beneficial to local business, or even discuss how it would decrease the environmental footprint ever so slightly.
If you happen to be one of those people, dear reader, then we would encourage you to write your state representative and show your support for HB 2094. The Licensing & Administrative Committee will be having a hearing on this Wednesday, so be prompt!
Should you happen to be in Austin this week (we hear there’s some sort of shindig going on up north) and would like to attend this Wednesday's hearing, it will be held at 8 am in room E2.016 of the state capitol. Please refrain from staggering in and yelling “Texas beer rules!” No matter how cool it might seem in your hazy, hung-over mind, it most likely won’t help.
Our friends at Saint Arnold have a good write-up on who and how to contact posted in this newsletter. You can find out just who your state representative is at http://www.house.state.tx.us/resources/faq.htm#who_rep. Houstonist will be drafting a note this evening. Get it? Drafting? Ah, just go write your letter already.
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Just a heads up that anyone interested in this issue can view the testimony starting at the 54 minute mark of this link (need Real Player): http://www.house.state.tx.us/fx/av/committee81/90318a22.ram
The state's small brewers put up a united front and supported the bill while the distributors are split -- one group of distributors voiced their support for the initiative and another group of distributors voiced concerns. If you support taking beer home after a brewery tour, contact your state lawmaker to support HB 2094.