Senators Tout Small Brewer Bill for Job Creation

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Two senators visited craft brewers on Tuesday, August 8th, bringing attention to the proposed Brewer’s Employment and Excise Relief Act (S. 534). The Senators recognize the bill as a way to create jobs, and support “Main Street” businesses which help to keep money in local communities and states.

In Delaware, Senator Chris Coons (D) visited Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton where he met with Dogfish owner, Sam Calagione. Coons, a champion of small business, said the goal of the bill was to encourage the continued growth of small brewers like Dogfish. Dogfish, which opened for business in 1995, has become one of fastest growing craft brewers in the state and despite their plans for expansion,  have kept a policy of not purchasing automated equipment at the cost of jobs.

Last month, Delaware Congressman John Carney Jr. (D) showed similar interest in promoting the state’s small brewers by attending the inaugural meeting of the Delaware Craft Brewers Guild. The House has a companion bill to S. 534, which is H.R 1236.

In addition to Senator Coons visit to Dogfish Head, Tuesday, New York Senator Charles Schumer (D) was on hand at Cooperstown Brewing Co. to pledge his support of S. 534, which would halve the current excise tax on small brewers’ first 60,000 barrels to $3.50. Cooperstown president, Stan Hall, added that the reduced excise taxes would help his brewery to become more profitable and would lead to the addition of new hires.

Learn more about the current small brewer excise tax reduction efforts on the Government Affairs section of this site.