Guinness Stands With Maryland’s Craft Breweries In Opposition To Terrible New Beer Bill

We recently reported that two Maryland legislators had introduced a new beer bill that would basically rollback last year’s compromise that advanced the state’s craft beer climate considerably.

Oddly Guinness who is building a new brewing hub and taproom in Baltimore County was exempted from the latest House proposal, which threatens to send Maryland’s beer laws back to the Dark Ages, an exception that only further enraged the state’s craft beer community.

In response, Guinness issued a statement explaining that were complete blind-sided by the action. That they DO NOT support HB 1052 and that they stand in solidarity with Maryland’s craft brewers in opposition to this new legislation.

This from Guinness….

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.

HB 1283, which was passed during the 2017 legislative session, took major steps forward to support beer category growth and increase beer tourism in Maryland.  Passed with overwhelming, bipartisan support, HB 1283 was true compromise legislation and the result of extensive efforts by the General Assembly, Guinness, our industry partners, and the Brewers Association of Maryland.

And there’s this from Dwayne A. Kratt, Diageo’s Government Affairs Director…

While HB 1283 was critical in advancing the beer industry in Maryland, there is always room for improvement.  While we are focused on getting our brewery completed and open to the public this summer, Guinness is committed to being a part of Maryland’s vibrant beer industry. 

As such, we will continue to work with and stand by our friends across the industry to help promote growth, beer tourism and job creation in Maryland.

American Craft Beer stands with Guinness and the Maryland Brewers Association in opposition to HB 1052, a legislative joke that would roll back the barrel limit for taproom sales from 2,000 to 500 barrels for small brewers and favor the Diego-owned international brewer at the same time.

Marylanders need to make their opposition known and can find contact information for their local representatives here.

The decision on HB 1052 will be made February 23^rd…

This bill needs to be put down and Maryland’s Comptroller Peter Franchot’s Reform on Tap Act of 2018 embraced.