The craft beer industry is at a standstill with many fearing that strict regulations will be imposed on the industry.
HB 1052 a proposed bill that imposes strict regulations on production and tap-room spaces. Many in the craft beer industry feel that this is going to hurt the craft beer industry because they will not be able to compete with the new Guinness brewery in Baltimore.
The bill is seen in a very negative light to many in the craft beer industry and to their supporters. “This is an extended middle finger to the Maryland craft beer industry, It seeks to punish Maryland’s independent craft brewers, much as a parent would an outspoken child, by creating a bill that is even more damaging to the industry that was House Bill 1283” said Len Foxwell, chief of staff for Comptroller Peter Franchot.
“This is an extended middle finger to the Maryland craft beer industry, It seeks to punish Maryland’s independent craft brewers, much as a parent would an outspoken child, by creating a bill that is even more damaging to the industry that was House Bill 1283” said Len Foxwell, chief of staff for Comptroller Peter Franchot.
On the other side of the debate, many feel that the HB 1052 is helping the craft beer industry by undoing what HB 1283 did a year earlier.
“HB 1052 is undoing all the alleged harm that was caused by HB 1283 in the 2017 session, If they are all against HB 1052 after they railed against HB 1283 of 2017, a big lie has been perpetrated to the state of Maryland,” said Delegate Dereck Davis, a Democrat who chairs the Economic Matters Committee.
While many in the industry feel that beer craft beer business will be held back from HB-1052 because of these regulations. “HB 1052 is a distraction from the reform efforts that the brewers are promoting, It’s extremely damaging because it looks back instead of moving forward. The industry is focused on evolving laws to make Maryland a leader in craft brewing,” said Kevin Atticks, the executive director of the American Brewers Association.
“HB 1052 is a distraction from the reform efforts that the brewers are promoting, It’s extremely damaging because it looks back instead of moving forward. The industry is focused on evolving laws to make Maryland a leader in craft brewing,” said Kevin Atticks, the executive director of the American Brewers Association.
The big chain of beer companies is also against the bill with Guinness coming out against the bill. “We at Guinness were surprised by the introduction of HB 1052 and we do not support this bill, While we appreciate the support for our brewery project by the legislature and the collective Maryland beer community, this bill will take us a step backwards from the category growth, beer tourism and job creation we are all working towards. said Dwayne A. Kratt, Diageo government affairs director in a statement.
“We at Guinness were surprised by the introduction of HB 1052 and we do not support this bill, While we appreciate the support for our brewery project by the legislature and the collective Maryland beer community, this bill will take us a step backwards from the category growth, beer tourism and job creation we are all working towards. said Dwayne A. Kratt, Diageo government affairs director.
Many people came together on the on Friday, February 23rd to discuss the bill in the economic committee. The beer makers who attended the committee had just one request and that was to make beer.
It’s very hard to say what will happen in the future with craft beers but many hope that this bill is not pushed through because of the strict regulations.
Ricardo Fuentes 