American Craft Beer Week – Day 2: Saying thanks to our legislators

Well, I didn’t anticipate American Craft Beer Week going quite like this but I have to say, for craft beer drinkers and brewers in Tennessee, today was a great day. SB1224 was changed from it’s original form to remove the “pilot” program and the 3 brewer limitation. Now while there are still some county provisions that some of us in the land of orange may have to dance around this changed bill made its way through the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee and is moving down the line. Up next is the Calendaring Committee then the Senate floor. While I’m no political expert I’m hearing that the Ways and Means was considered to be the biggest hurdle.

Tonight I opened up a Sierra Nevada Torpedo which for some odd reason I had been saving. If there was ever a night to drink it, it was tonight. Due to Sierra Nevada looking to expand into the Volunteer State, their top notch statement on the hub bub created yesterday and flat out saying, “do no harm” I’d have to say we owe them a big thanks, tip of the hat and a two finger steering wheel wave should we pass ’em in traffic.

If you haven’t thanked your senators and governor/governor’s office, please do so and ask them to now support SB1224 as it is currently written. This is a big step in the right direction for Tennessee.

Oh, and if you’re wondering, I drank that Sierra Nevada in a Marble City Brewing Company pint glass – just seemed right.