Arizona Breweries Need Your Voice Now! PLEASE HELP!
In recent weeks I have been asked on multiple occasions to
weigh in on the proposed AZ. Beer Bill
and legislation that has captured
the attention of our community, so here it is.
Although the outcome of this law making will greatly affect how local
Arizona breweries will be allowed to operate in the near future, believe me
when I say that the eyes of the nation are indeed upon us. To see legislation of this type pass in such
a quickly populating place as Arizona will also make a mark on how other states
perceive, interpret and change their laws as well. This is quite an important ship we are
sailing!
Now that that is out of the way, how do I feel about the
proposed changes? The short answer is
that I completely support the modifications as they will allow for significant growth
in the industry and create jobs here in Arizona. As a consumer of fine brew, you should
support these changes as well.
What the AZ. Beer Bill does is allow Arizona breweries to
lift the current forty thousand barrel (eighty thousand keg) production cap and
at the same time maintain the connecting pubs and tap rooms associated with
each brewery. This is important as
current law would force most local breweries to shut down these tap rooms in
order to move beyond the forty thousand barrel limit. This could potentially put many Arizonans out
of work. Do you want to put your
favorite barman at SanTan, Four Peaks or Huss out of a job? I certainly don’t.
This legislation will in fact create jobs and strengthen our
local economy as each brewery would be allowed to own and operate up to seven
satellite tap rooms and supply them with product without the worry or concern
of production caps. In truth beer brewing,
distributing and retail in the United States supports 20,430 jobs, $606,325,300
dollars in total in wages and has a total economic contribution of over one
billion. Craft brewing had a $664 million
dollar impact in Arizona in 2012 and created 3,486 jobs. Those numbers are hard to argue with and are
growing.
Some may argue that these new alterations undermine the basic
checks and balances our government’s Three
Tier System put into place at the end of Prohibition all the way back in
1933. In a nutshell that system allows
for the controlled and structured sale of all alcoholic beverages while
maintaining three tiers of taxation keeping each state’s coffers full money for
education, roadways and all things municipal.
While I will not argue that methods for regulating the sale of alcohol
will always be necessary I would contend that the proposed changes will only
serve to strengthen structure, limit liability, keep more money here in Arizona
and create even more tax revenue for our great state.
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| Sign the petition at www.azbeerbill.com |
While most laws are put into place with the best of
intentions we all must realize that things change. Much of the current law governing this matter
is almost a century old and is at best out dated and antiquated. Why on earth should we penalize our local
breweries for their own success? The
simple answer is we shouldn’t.
Lastly, the forces opposing this bill are for the most part
spirit producers or resellers and have an
incredible amount of money and
lobbying power. The Worst Part? Most of these spirits aren’t even produced
here in the United States! SO WHAT DO WE HAVE? WE HAVE YOU.
Again, please take a moment and sign the petition attached (find it here...) and help us keep this momentum going!!
For your state, for the love of beer, for your local brewery
please go to www.azbeerbill.com and
sign the petition showing your support. This will take you less than five
minutes. They need your voice NOW!
James SwannAgain, please take a moment and sign the petition attached (find it here...) and help us keep this momentum going!!
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