The Brewery Modernization Act (SB 192) passed the Alabama House of Representatives on May 31st, and then it underwent a long wait until Governor Robert Bentley signed it into law on Thursday, June 9th. After a long fought battle by the Free the Hops organization, they walk away this year with another victory and Alabama's breweries can now start planning out tours and taprooms.
On May 31st, SB 192 came up for a somewhat late vote that evening. It only met some mild questioning by Rep. Alvin Holmes before it went to a vote. The Brewery Modernization act then passed the House with a vote of 58 - 25. SB 192 had to then go back to the Senate for a quick concurrence on the changes made to the bill while it was in the House, and that was achieved pretty easily with a vote of 19 - 6.
Once this was done, The Brewery Modernization Act made its way to Governor Bentley's desk and the wait began. No one really knew for sure what Governor Bentley would do considering his religious background, but hopes were high because this was an alcohol related bill that more importantly could create jobs for Alabamians during these tough economic times. The wait continued until the last day for Governor Bentley to sign pending bills this session. He was then quoted that day saying the following (source: Birmingham News):
"When I represented my local community, I voted against Sunday alcohol sales and things of that nature. As governor, it's a little bit different. I don't feel I should impose my views on everybody in the state. The Legislature has had a chance to look at it and passed it. I'm sure I will sign it."
Later that day, Governor Bentley signed the Brewery Modernization Act and made it Alabama law.
This is a huge win on a couple of levels. First, this lets Free the Hops and Alabama beer enthusiasts know that all we have to do is convince our legislature that our bills are good for the state, and that is good enough for Governor Bentley. If this holds true in the future during Governor Bentley's term, it gives us a feeling of calm once a beer related bill hits his desk for final passage. Not having to worry about a possible, looming veto in the future will calm many nerves. For me personally, my respect level for Governor Bentley has risen incredibly considering he went on record saying he can put his personal and religious views aside for the greater good of his state and the people within it. This shows a great amount of integrity, and I can respect that all day long.
The second big win here is that the actual bill here passed. The Brewery Modernization Act is a huge deal for Alabama beer culture. Tours and taprooms are an integral part of breweries throughout this country and the world, and it is a great relief that our breweries can now enjoy a direct sense of camaraderie with their fans and beer lovers by finally being allowed to invite them into their brewery and talk beer with them. This bill will create jobs and another source of revenue for our local breweries, and this will ultimately give them another opportunity to flourish and grow. With craft beer culture booming all over the country lately, this will also be an added element to local tourism as well. Good People Brewing Company (Birmingham), Straight to Ale (Huntsville), and Back Forty Beer Company (Gadsden) already have plans in place to add tours and a taproom to their facilities, and Blue Pants Brewery looks at The Brewery Modernization Act's passage as an added step toward their hopes to grow and expand in the near future. This puts into perspective how important this was to our breweries, and how excited they are that this is now a reality.
This bill also allows brewpubs to distribute their beers to other restaurants and retailers, and it also allows them to open and operate in economically distressed areas. The Brewery Modernization Act should create an environment friendlier to future Alabama brewpubs, and hopefully it will be enough to reopen the Montgomery Brew Pub.
I think there may still be some doubters out there on how large of an impart the Brewery Modernization Act will have on craft beer culture in Alabama, but time will quickly tell all once the tours begin and the samples start being poured. I, for one, am very excited about these changes and I cannot wait to have my first beer in a brewery taproom in my home state. This weekend, I raise my glass to all the members and supporters of Free the Hops, our current and future Alabama breweries, and Governor Bentley in celebration of this victory and all the amazing things to come. Prost!
Comments