Chaser: The Craft Brew Lobby Answers Back.
As someone who's been watching this go on for a while now it's no secret that I'm sympathetic to the craft brewers. When you consider that some (although not all) distributors are subsidized in part by the big brewing companies you have what basically amounts to a rigged market. The "deal" that passed in 2013 was both a win and loss for craft brewers. Yes, they won the ability to sell a small amount of product out of their tasting rooms but they also lost the financial rights to their local distribution.
I'm not going to quote too heavy from either argument but I will close with this from the Craft Brew Lobby.....
In addition, The Beer Alliance's characterization of the changes in 2013 being something they 'allowed to happen' borders on ludicrous. Senators Eltife and Carona and Rep. Wayne Smith were the architects of the 2013 compromise that resulted in the package of bills including SB 639. In addition, Open The Taps and the Texas Craft Brewers Guild played large roles in helping to advocate and advance the benefits of those same bills. The very idea that the distributors feel they have the power to 'allow' or 'deny' things to happen in Austin IS THE PROBLEM - for too long they have been the only voice heard in Austin, and have a misguided sense that they make the rules, they are the gatekeepers, and that progress only comes from back room deals held outside of the public eye.
Yup.
Happy National Beer Day. I'm going to go enjoy one of the craft variety.
