2beerguys beer blog

LAW – Councilwoman is trying to stop sale of single beers

It’s been a while since I have posted any news about Alcohol laws. Here’s an interesting article about a Nashville councilwoman who is pushing a bill that would ban the sale of single beers.

The article is rather short, but it appears that this is an attempt to stop loitering and the sale of 40oz beers. This would also prevent the sale of single craft beers. This is an absurd idea. I agree with the author of the article that there are enough laws in the book to handle this “issue” – if there really is an issue. Do we really need any new laws about what we can and cannot purchase? What’s next? You can’t purchase a growler, because it’s a single bottle? Maybe we should stop the sale of individual twinkies or candy bars. Are they the cause of obesity? Maybe… (ok – maybe i’ve said too much..)

If you live in the Nashville area, I strongly recommend to make some noise and campaign against this bill — especially if you are a craft beer fan. Buying single craft beers is one of the best ways to try something new. We are always finding interesting beers when we purchase single beers.

If you have any additional information about this proposed bill, please let me know.

Sean
2Beerguys.com

Drink Craft Beer Singles, You’ve Earned It!!

Gilmore introduces bill to ban single beer sales

Council will hear bill for first time Tuesday
By Nate Rau

District 19 Councilwoman Erica Gilmore has followed through on her promise to bring forward a bill that would ban single beer sales in Nashville’s downtown area.

The bill, which will be on first reading at next Tuesday’s Metro Council meeting, would prohibit single-item beer sales, like 40-ounce malt beverages, inside the downtown interstate loop.

Gilmore promised to reintroduce a single-item beer sales in September and has been working on the writing the legislation since then.

Council considered a single beer sales ban in 2002, but those attempts failed after a divisive battle. The ban has the support of other Council members, including District 6 Councilman Mike Jameson, whose district includes downtown.

Gilmore’s new bill makes exceptions for “holders of on-sale permits, caterer’s permits, or special event permits.” It also excludes “the sale of single-item craft or specialty beers produced by microbreweries.” Local brewery Yazoo is in Gilmore’s district.

Gilmore said single-item beer sales lead to loitering, criminal activity and littering.

“You have people loitering around, hanging around with bottles. It does not look attractive,” Gilmore told The City Paper in September.

Joe Hall, lobbyist for Anheuser-Busch Co. and representative for a coalition of organizations that opposes the ban, gave NashvillePost.com the following statement regarding Gilmore’s bill.

“There are already laws on the book that address littering, public intoxication and handhandling,” Hall said. “Banning the sale of single beer containers isn’t going to solve those problems if those laws aren’t enforced. There are a few individuals behaving badly and they’re going to continue to do so by simply buying a six-pack instead of a single container, or buying wine or liquor.

“Because a few people are behaving badly, this policy proposes to take away the legal, lawful rights of all consumers. We think that is not the right approach.”

Link to article.