HB 1341
HB 1341 passed the state House by a 60-32 vote in February and passed the Senate by a vote of 35 to 9 in April. As anticipated, Gov. Mary Fallin signed into law April 22. The measure is expected to become effective Nov. 1.
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. The bill was introduced by Rep. Glen Mulready, R-Tulsa, and Sen. Rob Johnson, R-Yukon.
CRAFT BREWING FACTS
>>> Craft brewers sold an estimated 11,468,152 barrels of beer in 2011, up from 10,133,571 in 2010.
>>> 1,989 total breweries operated for some or all of 2011, the highest total since the 1880s.
>>> Growth of the craft brewing industry in 2011 was 13 percent by volume and 15 percent by dollars compared to growth in 2010 of 12 percent by volume and 15 percent by dollars.
>>> Craft brewer retail dollar value in 2011 was an estimated $8.7 billion, up from $7.6 billion in 2010.
>>> As of March 26, the Brewers Association was aware of 250 brewery openings in 2011.
Source: Brewers Association