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Beer Battle Brewing

These two press releases show that there is not agreement on a bill about where to sell beer.

 

Te first is from the Kenny Group which supports the idea calling it Pro-Consumer, which it probably is not since I see no “consumers” group among the advocates.

Pro-consumer beer legislation to be unveiled

on St. Patrick’s Day

Reform Bill Would End Old Patchwork of Consumer Laws & Let Colorado Join 45 Other States

(DENVER) — State Legislators and advocates for pro-consumer legislation that will modernize Colorado’s beer laws and abolish the antiquated 3.2 percent beer designation will unveil the specifics of the reform measure at a news conference to be held on Thursday, March 17 at 11:30 a.m.

Colorado consumers today face an antiquated patchwork of beer laws that allow some retailers to sell only beer that is 3.2 percent alcohol or below, while others (such as restaurants, bars and liquor stores) can sell only beer that is above 3.2 percent alcohol.   The reform legislation will allow all licensed retailers to sell full-strength beer and allow Colorado consumers to choose where to shop and what to purchase.

The news conference will be held at the Denver-area King Soopers store which is the only one in the state allowed to sell full-strength beer.  The store sells 47 types of Colorado beer – including many microbrews – demonstrating the diversity of selection that consumers will have if the reform legislation is enacted.

WHAT:  News Conference unveiling pro-consumer beer law reform legislation.

WHO:

WHERE:  King Soopers, 4300 Leetsdale Road, Glendale, CO

WHEN:  Thursday, March 17 at 11:30 a.m.

 

The Colorado Brews Guild has responded with an open letter saying that the supporters of this group are falsely claiming that the bill is supported by the Colorado craft brewers

Colorado Brewers Guild Corrects Falsehood;

Ask Legislators to Block Beer Bills That Will Harm Colorado Craft Beer

DENVER – Local Colorado breweries this St. Patrick’s Day sent a letter to grocery- and convenience-store lobbyists asking them to stop incorrectly claiming their legislation would help the Colorado craft beer industry.

In fact, the Colorado Brewers Guild has issued an Action Alert on March 15, asking brewers of Colorado craft beer to contact their legislators and tell them to vote NO on proposed legislation that would hurt independent Colorado retailers, make it harder to get craft beer to market, and limit choice for craft beer lovers.   Colorado’s independent retailers have helped local craft brewers make Colorado the epicenter or “Napa Valley” of beer.

The letter from the Guild said in part, “We are proud that Colorado is considered the epicenter or the “Napa Valley” of beer, with more than 120 craft brewers spread across the state. These breweries are a vital part of local communities and local economies. The current system of independent retailers has fostered a profitable structure for brewers and a diverse, beneficial market for beer lovers.  If altered to allow chain stores to sell full strength beer, those independent liquor stores that carry a diverse array of Colorado craft beer will be put out of business, reducing the public’s access to craft brewers’ products.”

The Colorado Brewers Guild (CBG) is a non-profit trade association representing Colorado craft breweries and brewpubs. CBG is dedicated to the improvement of business conditions and performs legislative advocacy for its members. In addition, the CBG sponsors a variety of beer events each year designed to increase the awareness and appreciation of Colorado-brewed beer. For more information about the Guild, please visit www.coloradobeer.org [1]or contact CBG Marketing Manager, Steve Kurowski at 303-507-7664

 

 

[2]

Colorado Brewers Guild
P.O. Box 19736
Boulder, CO 80308
www.coloradobeer.org

March 17, 2011

OPEN LETTER

Mr. Sean Duffy
Mr. Larry Hudson

It has come the attention of the Colorado Brewers Guild that your campaign’s website has misrepresented our position on an important issue before the Colorado legislature.

Your website – www.getrealbeer.com – misrepresents the craft brewers’ position on permitting grocery and convenience stores to sell full strength beer. We ask that you remove the following statement:

“Representatives of Colorado’s craft brewers have repeatedly told the state’s major grocers that they are missing a great sales and profit opportunity by not offering a wide assortment of craft beers.”

No “representative” of the Colorado craft brewing industry has supported legislation permitting chain stores to sell full-strength beer. It has been the long and consistent position of the Colorado Brewers Guild – the only group that can be said to “represent” our industry – that legislation you are advocating will hurt, not help, craft brewers in Colorado.

The reason for our opposition to such legislation is easy to understand. The large retailers focus time and attention on mass market beer brands that sell with a high volume. While the largest craft brewers may well get some shelf space in grocery stores, there is no doubt that niche and specialty beers from medium and small brewers are unlikely to be offered placement in these large retailers. Over time, craft beer selection will be reduced, and Colorado beer lovers will lose choice and diversity in the name of “convenience.”

We are proud that Colorado is considered the epicenter or the “Napa Valley” of beer, with more than 120 craft brewers spread across the state. These breweries are a vital part of local communities and local economies. The current system of independent retailers has fostered a profitable structure for brewers and a diverse, beneficial market for beer lovers. If altered to allow chain stores to sell full strength beer, those independent liquor stores that carry a diverse array of Colorado craft beer will be put out of business, reducing the public’s access to craft brewers’ products.

Please do the right thing, clean up your message and don’t speak for us.