In a few months’ time, Texas’ craft beer brewers will no longer be burdened by a regulation applying to their industry and state alone.
The Texas governor recently signed House Bill 1545 at a ceremony taking place at Austin Beerworks. The bill permits breweries, as of September 1, to sell beer to-go. Texas is the last state to even the playing field for craft brewers by allowing beer to be sold for off-premise consumption.
Wineries and distilleries have always been able to sell their wares directly to consumers, putting breweries at a disadvantage, according to industry advocacy groups. Two seldom aligned trade association, the Beer Alliance of Texas and The Texas Craft Brewers Guild (representing the distributors of malt beverages and nearly 300 independent craft breweries respectively) each chose to endorse Bill 1545.
Any change a business makes with regard to what it sells will prompt a reevaluate of promotional choices. Moreover, nearby enterprises, whether in direct competition or not, will be lining up at Print shops to discuss and perhaps make changes in their own marketing plan.
The new law comes with conditions, chiefly that a daily beer limit of 288 fluid ounces can be taken out per person, which is equal to a case of beer.
After signing the bill, Governor Abbott hoisted a can of Austin Beerwork’s Pearl Snap in recognition of the occasion.
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