New bill could allow Mississippi brewers to sell beer at their breweries
The Magnolia State took a step forward toward giving craft beer enthusiasts the right to buy beer at their favorite microbrewery, as a bill passed the House Ways and Means Committee and is headed to the full chamber for consideration. A similar bill died last year in the same committee.
The bill, H.B. 1322, will allow a microbrewery to sell 576 fluid ounces (the amount in two cases of beer) to an individual in a 24-hour period for off-premises consumption. Breweries are only allowed to give away 36 ounces to visitors.
Brewers also would be prohibited from selling more than 10 percent of their production or 1,500 barrels, whichever is less, annually to visitors of their breweries.
A similar bill is in the Senate but will likely die in the Senate Finance Committee. Tuesday was the final deadline for bills to make it out of committee.
Attorney Matthew McLaughlin represents the Mississippi Brewers Guild in its fight to end the prohibition against on-premises sales. He said the difference this year is that the state’s brewers and distributors put together legislation that was acceptable to all parties.
MS Watchdog
1/31/17
Magnolia Tribune
