Proposed State Law Would Help Microbrewers
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) -- Microbreweries could have it a bit easier under a proposed new state law, as long as they stay small.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Dave Dahl reports, state Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) wants to create an avenue for microbrewers to distribute their product directly and inexpensively.
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"It was limited to, like, 60,000 barrels of beer or less," Harris said, "and this is a big industry around the state. A lot of people are getting into that business. There's one of these in my neighborhood – it puts a lot of people to work – and they sell their products to a lot of neighborhood places, and we just want to be sure that there's a legal structure to govern them."
The bill has in mind brewers such as Half Acre, located at 4257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Harris' district, which has gained a following in the Northcenter neighborhood for its tastings and brewery tours. The bill also has in mind the Muddy River brewery, located in the district represented by bill co-sponsor Rep. Mike Bost (R-Carbondale.)
