The Brewers Association (BA) is gearing up for an active and consequential 2026 legislative season in statehouses across the country. From expanding access to market, to securing meaningful cost savings for small brewers, to defending our industry from harmful tax and regulatory proposals, the landscape is broader, and the opportunities greater, than ever.

Brews to Barns: A Major Opportunity in 2026 and Beyond

One of the BA’s signature initiatives beginning in 2026 will be Brews to Barns, an excise tax credit proposal we announced earlier this year that rewards breweries for donating spent grain to the agricultural sector. By enabling brewers to receive an excise tax credit based on the per pound dry weight basis of their donated spent grain, we’re putting real money in the pockets of our members, helping the circular economy, and continuing to benefit our agricultural partners. It’s the ultimate win-win-win. Inspired by a bill introduced in Texas and championed by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild in 2025, this program strengthens brewing and farming, two key parts of the local economy, while reducing waste and creating tangible financial benefits for brewers.

We have assembled a national working group of guild leaders to collaborate on strategy, stakeholder outreach, and anticipated talking points. Early engagement with lawmakers and regulators has been extremely positive, and we’re optimistic that this initiative can deliver meaningful, immediate relief for breweries navigating rising costs and tightening margins.

Offensive Priorities: Expanding Access to Market

Access to market remains our central focus as we head into 2026 and beyond. We are working to modernize outdated franchise laws that prevent small brewers from negotiating fair, balanced relationships with their distributors. In several states, lawmakers are also weighing new self-distribution privileges for small brewers, an essential tool for small and independent breweries that need flexibility in getting their beer to consumers and grow their businesses responsibly.

Across all these efforts, the BA supports state guilds with strategic funding, expert testimony, research, and coordinated advocacy. These reforms represent some of the most impactful, long-term opportunities to strengthen the business climate for small and independent brewers.

Defensive Priorities: Protecting the Industry

Excise Tax Increases: As federal funding tightens, many states are searching for ways to fill budget gaps, too often by looking to alcohol excise taxes. We have already seen proposals emerge in states like New Mexico and Oregon and have successfully battled against them. The BA will work closely with guilds and other allies to push back, making clear to lawmakers that craft breweries are economic engines, employers, and community gathering places. Tax hikes threaten that vitality.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): States are also exploring EPR programs that shift recycling and waste-management costs to beverage and other consumer goods producers. While well-intentioned, many of these bills lack exemptions for small producers, such as brewpubs that sell much of their product in reusable glassware, or breweries with significant food and draught-focused operations. With coordinated advocacy, the BA has helped secure those critical exemptions in multiple states, ensuring small brewers are not saddled with disproportionate costs.

We urge you to join us. Please visit our resources to learn more and get involved.