Md House bill 1283 now in Senate

Several bills have been introduced in the Md House this year to raise the limit on beer sales at breweries, mainly to appease the desire for Guinness to open their planned large tap house in Baltimore county. The one that made it from the House to the Senate has many flaws that will adversely effect our States craft brewers, as explained by the Brewers Association of Maryland.

The bill will restrict the hours of operation of breweries, will restrict brewers ability to contract brew and will withhold permits for new breweries. It should be noted that Guinness itself does not endorse these restrictions.

What I have done, and am hoping some in our community will do, is contact your state Senator and ask them to amend the bill (HB 1283) to eliminate these restrictions. Unfortunately, my senator (Ed DeGrange) has been noncommittal.

The progress we have made in recent years with beer regulation does not need to take 2 steps back now.

fuck these people. How do I contact my state senator, who the f is my state senator, I am new around here.

Originally posted by beastiefan2k
fuck these people. How do I contact my state senator, who the f is my state senator, I am new around here.

Brewers Association of MarylandLike Page
19 hrs ·
The Brewers Association of Maryland participated in a resolution of the issues surrounding HB1283. This process of negotiations—to address the prospect of major restrictions being thrust upon the industry—has been a gut-wrenching experience for members who simply wanted to follow their entrepreneurial dream of opening a craft brewery in Maryland. We support the passage of HB1283 as amended by the Senate with the understanding that breweries will continue on their path to modernize Maryland’s beer laws in the years ahead.

Looks like the lobbying has been helpful and at least a temporary sigh of relief

Originally posted by guzzler67
Brewers Association of MarylandLike Page
19 hrs ·
The Brewers Association of Maryland participated in a resolution of the issues surrounding HB1283. This process of negotiations—to address the prospect of major restrictions being thrust upon the industry—has been a gut-wrenching experience for members who simply wanted to follow their entrepreneurial dream of opening a craft brewery in Maryland. We support the passage of HB1283 as amended by the Senate with the understanding that breweries will continue on their path to modernize Maryland’s beer laws in the years ahead.

For context, https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/annapolis_2017/brewers-could-expand-sales-at-tasting-rooms-under-new-maryland/article_7b6e2433-31c8-544f-9432-1f834dc53edd.html

Sounds like the end legislation is an improvement from the House version but still flawed.

Originally posted by argo0
For context, https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/annapolis_2017/brewers-could-expand-sales-at-tasting-rooms-under-new-maryland/article_7b6e2433-31c8-544f-9432-1f834dc53edd.html

Sounds like the end legislation is an improvement from the House version but still flawed.

I final looked over the passed bill.
http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2017/04/10/maryland-beer-bill-passes-with-barrel-increase.html

Maryland has some restrictive beer laws. But this new bill is rather silly about the limits of how much you can sell at your brewery and then you have to buy back your distributed beer. How does this work for

I guess this is an incremental improvement.