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David Versus Goliath Beer Battles Rage In Louisiana (Baton Rouge, LA) – The Beer Industry League of Louisiana, is a big beer lobbying organization headed by John Williams, a longtime executive director known for his considerable influence in the state’s legislative circles. And he continues to be successful in limiting the growth of craft beer in the “Bayou State.”
Louisiana consumes, more beer per capita than 35 other states according to the Brewers Association. Yet Louisiana ranks 48th in craft breweries per capita.
John Williams, has a friendly style and is well-liked by legislators according to The Advocate. “He provides beer for their fundraisers, contributes money to their political campaigns and frequently hosts informal after-hours gatherings at the Beer League’s office near the State Capitol.” And this influence may have helped put an end to a proposed bill “allowing craft breweries to host private events and weddings serving catered alcohol at their facilities.” The pro-craft beer bill “was a life raft to help the current operating breweries to stay in business.” Cary Koch, Executive Director for the Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild told The Center Square website.
Words To Drink By (Louisiana) – “We think (Louisiana craft beer) could be a flourishing industry if the lawmakers and regulators would back off. We feel the effects by ranking 48th in the nation for breweries per capita and to make matters worse, we’re closing at double the national average for craft brewery closure rates.”Renee Amar, Vice President of Government Affairs at the Pelican Institute for Public Policy
3 Breweries Withdraw From Beer Festival After Promoter Charged With Domestic Violence (Brunswick, ME) – Late last week three breweries that were scheduled to be part of the Taste of Summer beer festival in Brunswick, Maine withdrew from the event when they learned of the involvement of a concert promoter Alex Grey who had been charged with domestic violence.
According to the Press Herald the owners of Flight Deck Brewing, Moderation Brewing and Black Pug Brewing cited “zero tolerance policy for domestic and sexual abuse” as the reason for their sudden departure.
