At a July 14 press conference held at Thomas Hooker Brewing Co. in Hartford, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced that the state’s fiscal year 2022-2023 budget, which he recently signed into law, provides for a 16.7% reduction in the state beer excise tax rate. The tax reduction, which takes effect on July 1, 2023, will shave $1.20 off the current barrel tax rate of $7.20.

In his remarks, the governor referenced his continuing efforts to support the continued growth of Connecticut’s craft brewing industry and the jobs it generates. “Connecticut’s craft brewing industry has been booming in recent years, and it is evidenced by the growth of hundreds of new jobs for our state’s residents. We should be doing everything we can to support locally-owned small businesses, including craft breweries. This reduction in taxes is another way we can support them.”

Two years ago, Governor Lamont signed wide-ranging alcohol modernization legislation into law, which provided for an increase of retail beer sales for off-premise consumption to nine gallons per person per day, an almost four-fold increase over the previous nine-liter limit.

Curt Cameron, president of Thomas Hooker Brewing Co., was pleased to host the governor’s press conference. “Governor Lamont is a true champion for small business in Connecticut and he understands the unique challenges faced by small brewers. His commitment to ensuring the state’s brewers grow and thrive is commendable, and we thank him for his previous efforts and for this latest show of support.”