Passing a second Senate committee after clearing the full House, H.B. 2726 provides a reduced beer tax rate for qualified small brewers (70,000 barrels annual production or less) of 35 cents per wine gallon. The bill also seeks to amend the definition of “cooler beverage” to include spirits-based beverages, enabling a preferential tax rate so as to encourage local distilleries to produce ready-to-drink cocktails.