Craft Beer legislation introduced in House of Delegates… Again.
For the second year in a row, a proposed change of our State’s “archaic” beer law has been put forth, and is awaiting review in the house judiciary committee. The sponsors of HB2934 are delegates Morgan, Doyle and our own Carrie Webster, who is also the chairperson of the judiciary committee. The bill seeks to add the definition of “Craft Beer” to the current law.
As it stands today, West Virginians are only allowed to buy what the state defines as “non-intoxicating” beer, which is beer that is less than 6% alcohol by volume. Of course, the whole notion of non-intoxicating beer is a joke. The only reason the current definition was raised some years ago from 4% abv (3.3% ABW), was for the benefit of our friends, the Macro brewers. It was costing them money to brew a special lower-alcohol beer just for WV. We are one of the last states with such an outdated law.
The current law denies West Virginians access to some of the world’s best beer. The newly proposed bill would allow beer to be sold as craft beer with up to 15% abv (about the same alcohol content as wine). The vast majority of craft beers, however, are usually under 10% abv. It’s not about the alcohol, it’s about flavor…
I just received a press release yesterday from the Brewers Association noting that 2006 marks another consecutive year of double digit growth (11.7%) for American craft brewers, while large macro brewers such as Anheuser-Busch and Coors are seeing declines. Maybe that is why the sole opposition to such a change in the law is being mounted by the greedy beer distributors. Or is it that they are just fat and happy as is?
If you enjoy drinking interesting beer and would like to be able to buy world class beer right here at home, please phone or email your delegate and urge their support. Look up a delegate’s address and phone number here.
