Texas House Bill 660, the Film

A week ago we teamed up wt Scott Metzger of Freetail Brewing to put together this video in support of HB 660.
We also asked Scott, who has been blogging daily on HB 660 news over at his Brewednotbattered blog, to guest post on BTA.

Take it away, Scott.

House Bill 660, filed by Representative Mike Villarreal, would allow Texas Brewpubs to sell their products to wholesalers and distributors -- something that is currently outlawed in our state. Meanwhile, shelves and taps are flooded with beer from out-of-state brewpubs. For Texas to grow into a truly top class Craft Beer state, we need to stop handcuffing our brewpubs. This video was shot on a chilly evening in Austin as myself and my peers in the industry gathered to discuss what we should to make HB 660 a success. Thanks to Chris Troutman and BeerTownAustin for putting it together.

Find your representative HERE (http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/).

Write your house representative, here's a sample letter from Scott's blog:

Representative [Representative's Full Name]
[Representative's Address]

Dear Representative [Representative's Last Name],

[First Paragraph, briefly introduce yourself. Give your name and the name of your organization if it is relevant to the cause. Mention if you are personally a constituent of the Representative or what your connection to him/her is].

I am writing you today in regards to H.B. 660 relating to the sale of malt liquor, ale, and beer by the holder of a brewpub license, filed by Representative Mike Villarreal of San Antonio. This bill would allow Texas brewpubs the right to make their products available for sale off-premise, a right that out-of-state brewpubs already enjoy within the borders of Texas.

This bill would help Texas brewpubs grow and remain competitive in a rapidly growing industry; help Texas wholesale permit and distributors license holders by expanding their product portfolios; help retailers by allowing them to highlight local products; give Texas consumers greater access to the products they want; and help the state by creating new jobs and increasing the tax base.

The craft brewing industry is beginning to garner national attention, and our laws must not prevent our own small businesses from flourishing -- especially to the benefit of out-of-state businesses who are currently able to do what our own breweries cannot.

I hope you will Vote Yes for HB 660 should you be given the opportunity either on a committee or on the house floor.

Thank you for your time and service to our great state.

Sincerely,

[Your Signature if Mailing or Faxing]

[Your Name]

Thanks to Draught House and Billy's on Burnet for allowing us shoot and thanks to everyone who got on camera in support of HB 660.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• hb660
• beertownaustin
• beer
• brewpub
• house bill 660
• scott metzger
• brewednotbattered
• freetail brewing

[dillyshrimp]

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