SALADO, TX — A pair of bills could soon allow craft brewery to expand their business model. If passed, breweries will be able to sell their beers directly to consumers.
Currently, licensed breweries are unable to sell beer to go in their taproom. Brewpubs, however, are allowed to sell for consumers. The major difference between the two is the amount of beer they can produce. Breweries are able to produce 250,000 barrels, while brewpubs can only make 10,000.
Barrow Brewing Co. in Salado is licensed as a brewpub.
“If this bill was to be passed we could rethink some of our strategic planning perhaps change from a brewpub to a brewery which would allow us to exponentially increase production,” said KD Hill, owner of Barrow Brewing Co.
Texas is the only state where it is not legal for craft breweries to sell their beers to go from their tasting rooms. But the same standard isn’t true for wineries or distilleries.
The bills are met with some opposition from distributors. Central Texas News Now reached out to two trade organizations that represent distributors. They have not responded to our request as of the time this article was posted.
Supporters of the bill say this move could benefit the industry as a whole.
“There’s a nielsen study that if someone gets that experience, and gets that beer, next time the go to a grocery store, or convenience store, restaurant or bar, they’re 55 percent more likely to buy that beer if they had gone to that bar and not visited the brewery,” said Charles Vallhonrat, of the Texas Craft Brewers Guild.
The bills have gone to committee, but have not yet had a hearing.
