LINCOLN – Three Nebraska state senators have introduced a
legislative study to assess expanding the presence of craft breweries in their
state, the Associated Press reports.
Currently, brewpubs and microbreweries are allowed to sell
alcohol at retail, but craft brewers maintain that delivering beer is limited
because they have to work through distributors, which cuts into their thin
profits. As a result, many craft brewers struggle to deliver their product
because of their small size, said Paul Kavuluak, co-owner of the Nebraska
Brewing Company in Papillion and president of the Nebraska Craft Brewers Guild.
"Many of the laws were built around an industry that
was quite a bit bigger," he said. "We're just trying to create a
nurturing atmosphere."
The senators will study whether self-distribution would help
the small breweries grow along with a check-off program to promote
Nebraska-made beers.
While the state’s distribution system for alcohol helps
track and collect excise taxes, some lawmakers have said a change is needed to
help microbrewers, at least until they’re large enough to need a regular
distributor.
The study was introduced by state Sens. Kate Sullivan, Colby
Coash and Russ Karpisek.
"I think it is feasible, and something we probably need
to look at," Karpisek said. "It's just hard to have two different
rules for the craft guys and for the big guys."
Nebraska law defines a microbrewery as one that produces up
to 20,000 barrels of beer per year.