Farmers Pushing For Passage Of Beer Bill
Farmers and brewers in Connecticut are pushing the General Assembly to pass legislation allowing farms to manufacture and sell craft beer.
With the farm brewery bill, state lawmakers have a chance to help strengthen growing industries, Barry Labendz, founder of Kent Falls Brewery Co., says in a new ad produced by the Campaign for Tomorrow's Jobs. When a farm and brewery partner up, it supports local businesses, creates markets for local goods, and creates jobs. Thats a win-win.
Under the legislation farm-based permittees would pay a $300 annual fee to make, store, bottle, distribute and sell up to 50,000 gallons of beer a year. Farmers will also be required to use a certain percentage of Connecticut-grown crops in their beer production.
According to the Campaign for Tomorrow's Jobs, more than 130 farm brewers have been authorized in New York since legislators there passed a law in 2013 allowing farmers to make and sell beer.
Read more: http://www.courant.com/politics/capitol-watch/hc-new-ad-supports-brewery-legislation-story.html