2beerguys beer blog

BEER LAW: Say No to more taxes and Yes to Craft Beer

Its crunch time for our local government to make decisions for the budget issues. Its not too late to contact your local politician and tell them where you stand on the beer tax.

Say NO to more taxes and YES to Craft Beer!!

Sean
2Beerguys.com

Drink Craft Beer Without Additional Taxes, You’ve Earned It!!

Here is the message from the Brewers Association:

Dear Massachusetts Craft Beer Lover:

As you may be aware, legislators are currently considering a new 6.25% sales tax increase on alcohol, including craft beer. This will mean that beer lovers like you, will end up paying about 50 cents more per six pack! This is an incremental tax being added only on “sin” products.

We urge you to contact your state senators and representatives today letting them know that taxing beer lovers like you is unfair. In moderation, consumption of craft beer enhances a healthy lifestyle. These tax decisions will be made on Beacon Hill in the next few weeks. We are asking you to speak up against an unfair tax burden targeting beer drinkers like you.

The letter below can be customized by you for distribution to your elected officials.

To find contact information your State Representatives and Senators, go to http://www.votesmart.org/index.htm and enter your zip code in the “find Your Representative” search box in the upper left corner.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Rob Martin
President, MA Brewers Guild

Letter to send to local politicians…

Dear:

Times are tough. We’re all sweating out the economy, nervous about our jobs but hoping for a nice summer here in Massachusetts. I just learned, however, that the legislature is considering raising taxes on one of the few affordable pleasures still left in my life. Beer! Please don’t do it. Think of the implications it will have on our state. I will be forced to cut back on having backyard barbecues and a cold beer after mowing the lawn or watching the Red Sox.

The taxes on beer are already high enough, accounting for more than 40% of the average retail price. I don’t want to have to drive to New Hampshire to buy products, like craft beer, that are brewed here in Massachusetts. We have a lot of great small breweries in Massachusetts. It doesn’t make sense to hurt their businesses at a time like this either. So, please, turn your attention elsewhere for additional revenues.

Cheers,

INSERT YOUR NAME AND TOWN HERE
A voter and a craft beer drinker!

________________________________________________________

Thanks for supporting the small brewers of Massachusetts.

Charlie Papazian
Charlie Signature
President
Brewers Association

Gary Glass
Gary Signature
Director
American Homebrewers Association