Since the downturn of the economy, many state legislatures are searching for new ways to “collect” more revenue. Where are they turning to? To the industry that is doing the best in this economy: Alcohol. Here are a few things that have been going on:<\/p>\n
Oregon State Legislation wants to increase the beer tax The Oregon House of Representatives proposed a bill that would raise the tax on a 12-ounce beer to 15 cents for drug and alcohol abuse prevention and treatment.<\/p>\n The current state tax on beer is less than a penny a glass. It’s among the lowest in the country, untouched in more than three decades and guarded by powerful interest groups.<\/p>\n Concern: <\/strong>This tax would have a negative impact on beer sales and many breweries would go out of business. This will increase the price of beer and will create job losses. <\/p>\n Oregon’s market-small but vocal craft beer makers oppose the bill, arguing that increasing the $2.60 tax on a barrel of beer to nearly $50 would crimp the industry and result in layoffs. The cost of a pint will go from $4 to $5.50.<\/p>\n Who’s effected:<\/strong> Widmer, Redhook, Rogue, Bridgeport, Steelhead, MacTarnahans, Deschutes, Rockbottom, Laurelwood, Fullsail, and about 40+ other breweries operating in the state.<\/p>\n Details: <\/strong>Oregon House Bill 2461<\/p>\n Oregon is fourth highest in microbreweries per capita in the United States, while Portland has the most microbreweries per capita in the world.<\/p>\n For:<\/strong> Oregon Lawmawkers 2Beerguys:<\/strong> Two Thumbs Down<\/p>\n Articles: <\/strong> *********<\/p>\n Arizona legislators trying to outdo Oregon with a 2087% increase in beer tax<\/strong><\/p>\n It wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t enough that Oregon legislators wanted to whack beer drinkers and their state\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s small breweries with a 1900% tax increase. Now Arizona is considering a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Liquor Luxury Tax\u00e2\u20ac\u009d of $3.50 a gallon ! That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s up from the current rate of 16 cents a gallon. <\/p>\n Details:<\/strong> Arizona H.B. 2524<\/p>\n At $3.50 a gallon this equates to $7.85 per case \u00e2\u20ac\u0153luxury\u00e2\u20ac\u009d tax on beer. The logic is unfathomable. There won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be any breweries around to pay the tax. Loss of jobs are but one calculable causality.<\/p>\n Against:<\/strong> Approx. 25 small and independent craft breweries in Arizona Articles:<\/strong> *********<\/p>\n Easing restrictions on microbreweries – Texas Details:<\/strong> Texas Brewers Parity Amendment HB 1062<\/p>\n Texas winemakers were successful in 2005 in amending the TABC code to permit wineries to sell wine on site to take-home customers. This generates an increased wine sales by greater than 12%.<\/p>\n For:<\/strong> Craft Breweries located in Texas – (currently only 8 – Spoetzl Brewery, Austin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Live Oak and (512) Brewing, Saint Arnold Brewing in Houston, Real Ale in Blanco, Southern Star in Conroe and Franconia in McKinney.) And two brewing giants in Texas \u00e2\u20ac\u201d Miller in Fort Worth and Anheuser-Busch in Houston) 2Beerguys:<\/strong> Two Thumbs Up<\/p>\n Articles:<\/strong> ********* Concern: <\/strong> Label rights were approved, but then taken away. This is a reminder of how swiftly prohibition destroyed the beer industry.<\/p>\n Also, Sixpoint would have to destroy their product and take a loss. In this economy, this could be damaging to the brewery. Pacific Standard, a Fourth Avenue bar had donated $1 from every pint of Hop Obama to the Obama campaign. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153[Sixpoint] wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t trying to use his name to make money, they were actually trying to support him \u00e2\u20ac\u201d while making a good beer.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n Winners:<\/strong> No one Articles:<\/strong> ********* Concern:<\/strong> “Alcohol sales shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be limited to places where the rich people sit.” It could increase binge drinking before the game.<\/p>\n For:<\/strong> University of Minnesota Board of Regents Other items currently in debate:<\/strong> * Relax rules for artisan distillers that make up to 25,000 gallons a year of vodka, whisky and other hard alcohol. This bill would allow artisan distillers to operate by buying a $250 license. Currently, artisan distillers must pay a $30,000 annual manufacturers fee to do business. Distillers would be allowed to sell a liter of liquor at off-sale to customers. (The bill was laid over without a vote being taken.)<\/p>\n The bills run into conflict with Minnesota\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s three-tier system of alcohol supply and distribution. The system, which dates back to the Prohibition era, prevents the makers of alcoholic beverages from distributing and selling their product.<\/p>\n Winners:<\/strong> Macro Breweries (who don’t face additional competition), Distributors,
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\nAgainst:<\/strong> All breweries in Oregon<\/p>\n
\nOregon Live.com – Opinion<\/a>
\nOregon Live.com -Revenue Hunt<\/a>
\nOregon Live.com – Beer: The Wrong Target.<\/a>
\nOregon Live.com – The bottomless debate over the beer tax<\/a>
\nBlue Oregon.com: Brewing Beer is Not a Sin<\/a>
\nOregon Live.com: How is raising brewery taxes 1,900 percent fair?<\/a>
\nOPB News: Brewers Can’t Bear Beer Tax Proposal<\/a><\/p>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\nFor:<\/strong> State Legislatures
\n2Beerguys:<\/strong> Two Thumbs Down<\/p>\n
\nBeer Examiner<\/a><\/p>\n<\/ul>\n
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n\nThis bill is a way to support quality entrepreneurship in Texas. The legislation, if passed, would amend the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission code to allow small in-state brewers to sell bottled beer for off-premise consumption at their breweries.<\/p>\n
\nAgainst:<\/strong> Texas beer distributors
\nNot Included:<\/strong> Brewpubs<\/p>\n
\nStar Telegram<\/a>\n<\/ul>\n
\nSixpoint is no longer allow to make ‘Obama’ ale: Brooklyn, New York<\/strong><\/p>\n\nSixpoint Brewery was ordered to stop making it’s popular “Hop Obama” ale. The cease-and-desist order was issued by the Tax and Trade Bureau of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms on the grounds that Sixpoint Craft Ales did not have permission from to use the president\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s likeness on the tasty, hop-heavy brew.<\/p>\n
\nLosers: <\/strong>Sixpoint Brewery and Hop Obama ale fans.
\n2Beerguys:<\/strong> Two Thumbs Down<\/p>\n
\nLink to article on the Brooklyn Paper<\/a>
\nNew York Times: Microbrewery behind “Hop Obama”<\/a>
\nNew York Times: Crying in Their Presidential Beer <\/a><\/p>\n<\/ul>\n
\nLawmakers are debating this year\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s omnibus liquor bill: Minnesota<\/strong><\/p>\n\nThe University of Minnesota is in the middle of building a new football Stadium for the Golden Gophers. The University has proposed to limit alcohol sales only to premium seating areas and suites in the new TCF Bank Stadium. <\/p>\n
\nAgainst:<\/strong> University of Minnesota fans who can’t spend billions for tickets.
\n2Beerguys:<\/strong> Two Thumbs Up<\/p>\n
\n* Legislation that would allow craft brewers who make more than 3,500 barrels and less than 7,000 barrels to do both retail and wholesale sales. (The bill was withdrawn before a vote was taken.)<\/p>\n
\nLosers:<\/strong> Small Craft Breweries and Distilleries, Consumers.
\n2Beerguys:<\/strong> Two Sad Thumbs <\/p>\n