Connecticut signs legislation to support craft beer industry

A law has been introduced by the Connecticut Government to support craft breweries in the region to sell more beer to customers for consumption off-premises.

The move is aimed to help small businesses expand their market share.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont commemorated the enactment in the presence of legislators and small business owners at a bill signing ceremony at Tribus Beer Company, a locally owned craft brewery in Milford, US.

Craft breweries in the state were previously allowed to sell up to 9l (around one case of 12oz cans) to an individual over 21. The new legislation increases this limit to 9gal, which is equivalent to four cases of 12oz cans.

Governor Lamont said: “Consumers are continuing to show with their spending habits that they would much rather purchase locally manufactured beer and wine, and our outdated blue laws should not impede the ability of these small businesses to benefit from this growing demand.”

The legislation contains several other provisions designed to support the growth of Connecticut’s craft breweries in the state, including consolidation of four beer manufacturer permits into one permit, as well as creating a Connecticut Craft Café permit to enable holders to sell all other types of alcohol manufactured in the state.

The legislation allows the craft breweries to hold multiple manufacturing permits, which will enable them to produce wine, cider, spirits and mead.

The bill consists of other changes, including increasing the number of gallons manufacturers of distilled spirits can sell annually from 25,000 to 50,000gal, and doubling the daily amount they can sell to individuals from 1.5l to 3l.

Under the law, manufacturers and distributors will have increased flexibility as to how they provide products to package store retailers, while also creating an out-of-state retailer shipper’s permit so that consumers can purchase wine from out-of-state for wine not available in Connecticut.