Traveler Debuts National Advertisement
Traveler Beer, the three-year-old shandy/fruit beer line operated by Boston Beer’s Alchemy & Science subsidiary, debuted its first national ad this week, a 30-second spot dubbed “The Road to Refreshment.” Starring Traveler president Alan Newman (and his yellow spectacles), the ad coincides with the national launch of the brand, which Boston Beer president and CEO Martin Roper detailed earlier this year during a fourth quarter earnings call. “I’ve been fired by every company I’ve ever worked for,” says Newman at the start of the ad. “The only things I was ever good at were traveling and beer.”
The Alchemist to Build New Brewery
The Alchemist was issued a land use permit this week to build out a new 15,000 sq. ft. brewery in Stowe, Vermont, reports the Burlington Free Press. The space is expected to be located on a 4-acre plot of land the brewery bought from the neighboring Stoweflake Resort. “We’re very optimistic,” Jenn Kimmich, brewery co-owner, told the website. “It will evolve over time. We envision it being a beautiful place in a few years.” The Alchemist initially applied for a permit to build a brewery with a retail space in the area in August of last year, three months before it closed its cannery and consumer-facing retail shop amid complaints from nearby residents who said the brewery’s increasing popularity had turned into a nuisance.
Arizona Beer Bill Off to Governor’s Desk
Arizona lawmakers passed Senate Bill 1030 on Wednesday, effectively lifting the state’s production cap fivefold for brewers that operate multiple locations, according to AZ Central. Under the status quo, microbrewers can produce up to 40,000 barrels and maintain ancillary retail components. Once they cross that threshold, however, they become a “producer” and forfeit those rights in the process. This bill, now off to the governor’s desk, allows for brewers to produce up to 200,000 barrels and retain those privileges. Once they’ve passed 40,000 barrels, though, brewers do give up self-distribution except for at their on-site retail locations as the bill is written.
Alabama Lawmakers File Bill to Ease Franchise Laws
Alabama lawmakers have filed a bill to ease franchise laws in the state by allowing brewers that account for 20 percent or less of a given wholesaler’s total sales to terminate partnerships in accordance with previously agreed upon contracts, according to a report from AL.com. Senate Bill 128, sponsored by State Sen. Paul Sanford (R-Huntsville), was written with help from the Alabama Brewers Guild, the article adds. Jason Wilson, founder and CEO of Back Forty Beer, said the bill would provide more latitude for brewers in their relationships with wholesalers. “Many Alabama breweries are very small, and have virtually zero negotiating power with distributors that they are legally required to work with,” he said. “Once they sign a distribution agreement with a wholesaler, it is virtually impossible to terminate that agreement, no matter what the reason.”
Indiana Production Bill Gets Early Win
A bill that would lift the production cap on Indiana brewers earned an early win this week, passing out of the House Public Policy Committee on Wednesday, reports the Indianapolis Business Journal. As written, Senate Bill 297 would lift the production cap for brewers that also operate in the wholesale retail tiers from 30,000 to 90,000 barrels. Currently, brewers that produce more than 30,000 barrels forfeit all self-distribution and tasting room privileges. Earlier this year, as reported by Brewbound, Sun King Brewing and 3 Floyds Brewing launched the Support Indiana Brewers campaign to raise awareness of the issue and how the cap stifles growth potential. The bill is now headed to the full House for review.