Scott Cherry: Bill allowing breweries to serve samples goes to governor's desk
By SCOTT CHERRY World Scene Writer on Apr 17, 2013, at 1:57 AM Updated on 4/19/13 at 11:22 AM
Food
It's apple season again, one of the few times of the year I'm sorry I live in the city, without a car. If only I lived near an orchard, I'd pick my own apples and be happy.
Word has it that OK+ (in excess of 3.2) Budweiser is coming to a liquor store near you.
Oklahoma breweries received a long-sought victory Tuesday when a bill that would allow free samples to the public on brewery premises passed in the state Senate by a vote of 35 to 9.
The bill, HB 1341, passed the state House by a 60-32 vote in February, and now goes to Gov. Mary Fallin's office for her signature. If approved, the measure is expected to become effective in November.
The measure would allow licensed brewers to serve free samples of beer produced by them to visitors 21 years old or older, with a maximum amount of 12 ounces a day to individual visitors.
The breweries would have to designate a restricted area in the brewery specifically for the tasting samples, and samples could be distributed only between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Supporters of the bill say it would level the playing field between beer and wine producers in the state. Wineries already are allowed to hand out free samples.
"We have effectively been doing our job with one hand behind our backs," brewmaster Eric Marshall of Tulsa's Marshall Brewing Co. said in a news release. "Few craft breweries have the traditional marketing methods available due to restrained resources.
"My hat is off to the people of Oklahoma for helping us to move this bill from being an idea to heading to the governor's desk to be signed into law.
"Without the support of craft beer fans, all Oklahoma breweries and legislators with an open mind this bill would not have had a chance."
The bill was introduced by Rep. Glen Mulready, R-Tulsa, and Sen. Rob Johnson, R-Yukon.
Original Print Headline: Bill would let breweries serve samples
Food
It's apple season again, one of the few times of the year I'm sorry I live in the city, without a car. If only I lived near an orchard, I'd pick my own apples and be happy.
Word has it that OK+ (in excess of 3.2) Budweiser is coming to a liquor store near you.
