Support Your Local Brewery Program
Support Your Local Brewery (SYLB) is a grassroots activist program managed by the Brewers Association (BA). Membership is made up of small brewers and committed beer enthusiasts from all 50 states with the mission – assist brewers in achieving and sustaining fair market access and equitable legislative and regulatory treatment.
Beer Activists respond to email SYLB Action Alerts whenever a state or federal government affairs involvement opportunity arises by contacting their elected officials. Since its inception, SYLB Beer Activists have answered the call on a variety of issues ranging from tax increase threats and small brewer access to market challenges, to a host of issues aimed at protecting and enhancing the availability of small and independent brewery beer in the marketplace.
SYLB, State Guilds and Local Breweries
The Brewers Association actively works in support of, and in concert with, State Brewer Guilds on legislative and regulatory issues. Through SYLB the BA brings the voice of individual beer drinkers and brewers to bear on issues impacting craft beer consumers and the craft beer industry.
How you can help
- Stay up-to-date on your state’s current issues. You can find a list of recent activity in your state in Current Issues or below.
- If you learn about an emerging issue, contact your state guild. Make sure they know and ask how you can help.
- Brewers – Tell your supporters to sign up on CraftBeer.com to become SYLB Beer Activists.
Current Issues
Tennessee Bill Raises Sales Cap
S.B. 1594 and companion H.B. 2597 seek to increase the number of barrels a manufacturer that operates as a retailer may sell from not more than 25,000 to not more than 40,000 annually.
Cross-Tier Ownership Issues Addressed in TN
Companions H.B. 731 and S.B. 421 seek to prohibit a manufacturer from holding a direct or indirect interest in any wholesaler or establishment that holds a license for consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises …More
Beer ABV Increase on Tap in TN
Companion bills H.B. 499 and S.B. 502 redefine beer as having alcoholic content of up to 18 percent by volume (current definition is up to 8 per cent by weight).
Tasting Privileges Expanded in Tennessee
Signed by the Governor, Senate Bill 2096 authorizes a licensed alcoholic beverage manufacturer to use items related to or incidental to the tasting of alcoholic beverages manufactured on the premises and to rent or lease …More
TN Sales Expansion Proposal
Senate Bill 640 seeks to authorize a beer manufacturer operating as a retailer to sell beer directly to another retailer if located in the same county; allows a beer manufacturer to operate as a retailer …More
Sampling Bill Introduced in Tennessee
Senate Bill 1554 authorizes the holder of a brewer or beer manufacturer’s permit to serve samples of the product made at the premises to any person of legal drinking age with or without cost or …More
Increased Barrel Cap Proposed in TN
Companions H.B. 2019 and S.B. 1960 increase the amount of beer a manufacturer may sell annually at retail from 25,000 barrels to 30,000 barrels.
Tennessee Governor Signs Bill to Allow Retailer Privileges at Breweries
Signed by the Governor, House Bill 639 makes applicable statewide, instead of in certain areas only, the authority for a beer manufacturer to operate as a retailer at the manufacturer’s location or a site contiguous …More
Homebrew Legalities Clarified in Tennessee
Signed into law, S.B. 376 allows a person to make beer without a license or permit under certain circumstances and allows homemade beer in certain exhibitions, contests, and competitions.
Prohibition of Cross-Tier Interests Becomes Law
Signed by the Governor, House Bill 543 prohibits, with limited exceptions, a brewer from holding a financial or ownership interest in either a wholesaler or retailer and a wholesaler from holding a financial or ownership …More
Manufacturer Retail Abilities Reviewed in Tennessee
Passed by both legislative chambers, House Bill 639 makes applicable statewide, instead of in certain areas only, the authority for a beer manufacturer to operate as a retailer at the manufacturer’s location or a site …More
Distribution Provisions Considered
Passing initial committee consideration, Senate Bill 686 clarify that contracts entered into or renewed by a manufacturer or importer and the wholesaler that is more than seven years in length shall be considered contrary to …More
Changes to Supplier-Wholesaler Contracts Proposed in TN
House Bill 706 and Senate Bill 686 clarify that contracts entered into or renewed by a manufacturer or importer and the wholesaler that is more than seven years in length shall be considered contrary to …More
TN Bills Seek to Prohibit Cross-Tier Interests
Companions House Bill 543 and Senate Bill 426 seek to prohibit, with limited exceptions, a brewer from holding a financial or ownership interest in either a wholesaler or retailer and a wholesaler from holding a …More
Limited Retail Abilities Proposed in Tennessee
Companion legislation H.B. 605 and S.B. 640 authorize a beer manufacturer operating as a retailer to sell beer directly to another retailer if located in the same county and allows a beer manufacturer to operate …More
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