Mississippi Craft Beer Makers May Get New Way to Serve Brews

There’s a real brouhaha building in the Mississippi legislature.  A bill that impacts the state’s craft breweries is now headed to a Senate vote, according to the SunHerald.com. 
House Bill 1322 would allow for craft beer consumers to buy beer on site from local Mississippi craft breweries.  It’s a change that John Cofer, Chief Operating Officer of Yalobusha Brewing Company, said will be very important to the advancement of the r industry and “would definitely create jobs throughout the state.”
“We will be allowed to sell up to 10 per cent of what we produce directly to the public with a few limitations,” Cofer said. “It will help grow our brand and it will help introduce more people to more breweries around the state.”
Mississippi is one of two states that won’t allow direct sales and Matthew McLaughlin, general counsel to the Mississippi Brewers Guild said “it’s sooner rather than later the others will come around.”
“If we’re the only one not allowing it, that doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re right,” he added.
Cory Wilson, a House Representative of District 73 and co-sponsor of the bill, said the bill would open several doors for economic growth and tourism.
“I think that there are people that would drive by a craft brewery and be interested in a facilities tour and, while they are doing that they may buy beer or go eat at some local restaurants or shop at some stores,” Wilson said.
“I’m a co-sponsor of this bill because I think it’s gonna be good for Mississippi’s economy. It’s going to help grow some homegrown businesses and eventually add jobs,” he added.
According to the Mississippi Brewers Guild website, “There are currently 7 brewing companies, operating 5 brewing facilities in 5 cities in Mississippi.” The website also states, “Total economic impact from the beer industry is $991 million for Mississippi’s economy producing $230 million in total tax contributions, and employing 12,300+ people.”
“Craft breweries attract such a broad spectrum of people and that is part of what makes them so much fun,” Cofer said.
He added, “We are very grateful that our distribution partners have come to us in the past year and partnered with us on a bill that we think is very favorable and can help grow different craft brands in the state of Mississippi and hopefully create a lot of jobs.”
According to an DJournal.com article, Laughlin believes the bill will be referred to a Senate committee on Monday.
Story contributed by Meek School of Journalism & New Media students Taylor Lewis & Georgia Clarke.