Hey it’s Wednesday and it’s Rumor Mill Time….From employee ownership programs to progressive new beer laws, we’re lovin’ the positive news we’re seeing in the industry this week. We’ll be giving you everything we know so far, plus we’ve got some fast-breaking news from West Michigan and two hot new canned releases that you’ll want to chase down. So fasten your seatbelts everybody…THIS WEEK’S RUMOR MILL IS ON!

Bell’s Takes Off (Grand Rapids, Michigan) – For those of you who are in the habit of grabbing a cold one before a flight, you’re in luck if your future travels include a stop at West Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford International Airport. Renovations of the pre-security portion of the main hall will include a new Bell’s Brewery. According to the Grand Rapids Business Journal, the renovation will be completed in stages throughout the next five years as part of the airport’s mission to highlight retail, food, and beverage options that are unique to the region, including incorporating the city’s moniker as Beer City, U.S.A.

And that’s not the only expanding Bell’s may be doing in the near future; Mr. Larry Bell’s got his sights set on 3.16 acres of land in the town of Escanaba, Michigan, for a new Michigan brewery. And rumors are circulating that he might even be working on launching a third beer brand for Bell’s….we’ll be keeping a close eye on this one over the next few weeks.

Ohio Legislators Do the Right Thing! (Statewide, OH) – In a shocking departure from form, the Ohio state legislature quietly approved Senate Bill 48 last week, which would lower the annual licensing fee and create a new liquor permit for breweries that make less than 31 million gallons a year. This bill would benefit most breweries in the state, with the exception of two that currently surpass this threshold (Anheuser-Busch InBev in Columbus and MillerCoors in Trenton). According to the Akron Beacon Journal’s Beer Blog, the bill also includes other favorable amendments for craft brewers, such as clarifying language to prohibit large brewers from owning distributors and allowing breweries to open a tasting room within a half-mile of their production facilities. Having passed unanimously by both the House and Senate, it now awaits Governor John Kasich’s signature.

Lagunitas Takes on the Windy City (Chicago, IL) – Although the new Lagunitas Brewing Co. Chicago Taproom was slated to be finished this June, it looks like construction and some legal red tape has pushed back its opening until the fall. But no worries – according to Founder Tony Magee’s tweets, the space will be that much cooler because of the additional prep time. Some features of the new Chicago taproom will include 2 brewhouses, 120 750 bbl fermenters, 10 1,000 bbl brite tanks, 3 packaging lines, 2 keg lines, a taproom and beer sanctuary, and a buzz shack. We’re totally there!

Deschutes Opens Up (Bend, OR) – Talk about putting stock in what you love. At the end of last week, stockholders made their first contributions to the brand-new Deschutes Brewery Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) trust. To honor its 25-year anniversary and the continued support and contributions of its employees, Deschutes will offer its employees shares based on their time with the company. The nation’s fifth largest brewery will still remain majority-owned by founder Gary Fish and his family.