June 28 was a momentous day for Rhode Island breweries. Gov. Gina Raimondo signed House Bill 8100 Substitute B and Senate Bill 3053 Substitute A – which allow 401 beermakers to sell 288 ounces for off-premise consumption (in any combination of growlers, bottles and/or cans). That’s a 216-ounce increase from the bill that was passed in July 2013, which greenlit 72 ounces of beer-to- go. The new legislation also lets the brewers operate bona fide taprooms at their establishments and sell up to 36 ounces per customer (samples and tastings will still be offered). The bills also benefit the Sons of Liberty distillery in South Kingstown, which now can sell 750ml of spirits-to-go and 4.5 ounces to patrons on-site.
A bit of history: The battle for growler sales began in 2006, when Newport Storm was the state’s lone brewery. The proposal was met with firm resistance from wholesalers (and their lobbyists), who touted the merits of the alcohol distribution system that had been in place since the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. Three years ago, Grey Sail, Foolproof, Bucket and Ravenous were also in the local beer business, and the growler passed. An insider said, “It was a long fight to get the 72 ounces, and a big concern that we had to overcome was that if we were allowed that much, we’d start looking for more.” The emergence of Proclamation, Whaler’s, Crooked Current, Tilted Barn and Long Live Beerworks in the last three years – plus the ever-increasing interest and devotion to the better beer scene nationwide – created strength in numbers, which helped rally support for the new bills. (If you want to take a much deeper dive into the state’s beer laws, visit the Bottles & Cans blog – the link is at the bottom of this column – and look for “Growlers and beyond: raising the beer bar in Rhode Island.”)
When the bills passed in the General Assembly, Representative Michael A. Morin said, “I see this primarily as a way to help small businesses that have some really terrific potential … It’s also a way to encourage tourism, since there are enough [breweries] in each area of the state for enthusiasts to make a day of it.”
The brewers’ reaction to the gov’s signing was rapturous. The crew at Proclamation Ale Company posted: “Thanks to all the reps, senators, officials, industry people, customers, loudmouthed individuals, dogs, cats etc etc…Awesome day. 6/28/16 Never Forget.” And Tilted Barn Brewery tweeted: “Signed, sealed, delivered by @GinaRaimondo. 100% official my friends. Great times ahead in Little Rhody.” (FYI, the governor’s office is hoping to have a ceremonial signing event at a brewery this summer.)
The new laws will bring big changes (new point-of-sale systems, glassware – and some new employees!) and new attractions at the breweries. Many spots will have expanded hours and may open more days a week. Bucket Brewery in Pawtucket is planning a “Dinner and a Movie” night on Thursdays, with food truck fare and a film on their new giant screen, plus a “Brewery Brunch” on Sundays from 10am – 3pm. Foolproof prez Nick Garrison notes that “the sell-by-the-glass option gives us a lot more flexibility [for] private events/tastings.”
There’s also a bit of progress re: a RI Beer Trail/Brewery Challenge/Passport project, which encourages beer fans to visit all of the state’s spots to sample their wares and earn T-shirts and other swag. The Rhode Island Brewers Guild reports that a prototype is close to being approved and sent to the printer. So you might have more incentive (like you need it!?) to hit the Rhody beer trail soon.
So: That’s a fermenter full of good news for the thriving Rhode Island beer scene. All together now: Cheers!
For more beer news, check Lou’s blog, bottlescansclaphands.wordpress.com, or follow @BottlesCansRI.