The Brewers Association (BA) is dedicated to promoting policy changes at the state level for the benefit of small and independent brewers. Our priority topics range from wider access to market through self-distribution and direct-to-consumer shipping, to creating a level playing field for producers through franchise law reforms.

These were our topics of focus at this year’s National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Summit, held in Boston, Massachusetts. The BA once again hosted a booth, with hours of craft beer tastings each day of the exhibit hall, and a well-attended reception for lawmakers at Boston’s Harpoon Brewing Company.

On hand representing the BA were State Government Affairs Director Sam DeWitt and Special Projects Coordinator Marc Preo. Over the course of two days in the hall, we met with hundreds of state lawmakers and staff from all over the country, making contacts that will pay dividends as we pursue our agenda from coast to coast.

The post-conference reception was attended by the board of the Massachusetts Brewers Guild, as well as lawmakers from all over the country. Together we enjoyed fresh craft beer and bites from Harpoon, as well as a collegial discussion of BA issues.

Next year’s NCSL Summit is scheduled for Chicago, Illinois, and BA is already readying materials and prepping to make it another successful legislative event.