No Progress on Senate Bill 224

Some news on the continuing saga over the Brewpub Tourism Development Act. From Rob Larson of Tyranena Brewing:

A meeting was held at the State Capitol on Monday to "negotiate" a deal on SB 224, the so-called "Brewpub Tourism Development Act." As you know, this bill would adversely affect the future of small breweries in Wisconsin by limiting their opportunities for growth and success. The Wisconsin Beer Wholesalers were inflexible and unwilling to compromise... preventing a resolution that would permit the Great Dane from serving their own beer at their Hilldale location.

The Wisconsin Beer Wholesalers Association seems intent to limit opportunities for small breweries and we will likely be asking for your help again in preserving Wisconsin's rich brewing heritage and future by contacting your legislators.

I suppose I shouldn't add that the Great Dane was unwilling to compromise with the Wisconsin Brewers Guild either, so this headline could have easily read: "Great Dane Prevents Great Dane From Serving Own Beer At The Great Dane Hilldale Location," but that just sounded a little odd. Another dirty little secret that no one has talked about... if the Great Dane did not distribute their beer all over Madison and Dane County they would fall under 4,000 barrels per year and be able to serve their own beer at the Hilldale location... but I suppose that isn't mentioned as the headlines and story and the resulting urgency wouldn't be as compelling.

I should also note that despite these few paragraphs that might be deemed as overly critical of The Great Dane, I do like going there... still like their beer... and still think that the laws in the state preventing them from serving their own beer at Hilldale, despite producing over 4,000 barrels per year, are ludicrous and should be changed. But, of course, not in a way that adversely affects the industry. Politics, gotta love it... or contribute enough money to get your voice heard.