Legislation has been introduced by Senators John Kerry (D-Massachusetts) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) that seeks to reduce the domestic small brewers excise tax.  The online Library of Congress Bill database described S. 3339 as a "bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a reduced rate of excise tax on beer produced domestically by certain small producers."

In a press release from the Kerry office, the Senator commented, "Small and independent brewers are vital small businesses," and went on to say, "relieving their tax burden will help them keep hiring and expanding,”

View a copy of S.3339

As was the case with its House companion, the introduction of Senate Bill 3339 is the culmination of months of effort on the part of individual Brewers Association (BA) member breweries and BA staff to ensure American small brewers are given the best chance to remain strong and competitive. The BA strongly believes that reducing the excise tax burden will help strengthen the smallest brewers and support their efforts to maintain and generate jobs in today’s challenging economy. 

More information on the effort to reduce excise taxes for small brewers may be found on the BA’s excise tax reduction resource page.