From time to time, it is necessary for the Brewers Guild to take a formal position on an issue. Before we do so, we solicit input from our members who have a wide variety of business models and ideologies. The Guild then distills that information down into a position that is the best for the overall brewing community of Washington State.

Legislative Year 2013:

Federal: Small Brewer Federal Excise Tax Recalibration
US Representatives and Senators are supporting bi-partisan legislation seeking to recalibrate federal excise tax for America's small breweries. more    brewer resources

State: While we recognize the State of Washington is experiencing great financial hardship, we oppose any taxes directly related to beer. Large breweries or small, these beer taxes lessen the ability of Washington breweries to remain competitive with breweries from other states.

JOINT STATEMENT BY THE WASHINGTON BREWERS GUILD, THE BEER INSTITUTE AND THE END THE BEER TAX NOW COALITION
REGARDING PROPOSALS TO EXTEND WASHINGTON’S TEMPORARY BEER TAX

In response to the release of budget plans from the Governor, the state Senate and the state House, the Washington Brewers Guild, the Beer Institute, and End the Beer Tax Coalition today issued the following statement in response to proposals to extend and expand the temporary tax on beer:

“We unequivocally oppose the extension of the temporary beer tax and further oppose any expansion of the tax to small brewers. When the nearly 200% tax increase on beer was enacted in 2010, lawmakers gave us their word that it would be temporary.  We urge Olympia politicians to keep their promise - end the temporary beer tax and no new beer taxes so brewers of all sizes can grow, compete and help Washington’s economy flourish.”

The Brewers Guild, the Beer Institute and the End the Beer Tax Now coalition represent a broad group of organizations and individuals that include brewers of all sizes, hop growers, restaurant owners, neighborhood retailers, distributors, grocers, bar owners, business representatives and beer enthusiasts who are working to stop this threat.

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WABL ready to send letter   WABL EDIT FIRST!! letter  brewer resources

Legislative Year 2012:

Federal: HR1236/ S 534 Small Brewer Federal Excise Tax Recalibration
164 US Representatives and 41 Senators are supporting bi-partisan legislation seeking to recalibrate federal excise tax for America's small breweries. more    brewer resources

State: While we recognize the State of Washington is experiencing great financial hardship, we oppose any taxes directly related to beer. If Washington moves towards raising taxes, we ask that the tax burden be spread amongst all industries evenly.

I-1183 Implementation: While I-1183 does not directly impact breweries at this time, the Brewers Guild recognizes that it likely is setting precedent for the future. The Guild supports any regulation that evens the playing field for large and small producers. We stand by our winery and small craft distiller comrades as they work to ensure shelf space for their artisian-produced products.

Legislative Year 2011: The Brewers Guild is always opposed to any new beer taxes; the beer industry is already among the highest-taxed industries in the state. The Guild aims to ensure any move to privatize the Liquor Control Board will not be harmful to small producers. more

Initiative 1100

I-1100 is a threat the Washington craft brewing industry.
This iniative is being actively promoted as modernizing liquor laws, by privatizing spirit sales. Actually, it is a sweeping proposal that repeals 39 State Laws, enabling the biggest retailers, distributors, and producers to own and give favorable pricing to each other, which would eliminate the level playing field small businesses need to grow and prosper in our state.

I-1100 negatively impacts the craft brewing industry.
Washington State is home to one of the most innovative and fastest growing craft brewing industries in the country. During the last 24 months, throughout the worst economic downturn in our lifetimes, the craft brewing industry in the State of Washington has grown more than in any 24 month period in history. Dozens of new craft breweries have opened, creating new employment opportunities for hundreds of state residents, and capitalizing on the creativity and innovation our state is known for.

I-1100 takes away consumer choice.
The success of the craft brewing industry has been a huge success for the consumers of Washington State. Consumers have literally hundreds of choices of locally made, hand-crafted beers from across our state. I-1100 hurts consumer choice by giving volume pricing discounts to the largest companies, thereby reducing competition. Without the means to compete in the marketplace, small, neighborhood craft breweries will close and consumers will have less choice at their favorite establishments.
Guild/ Brewers Association Position on I-1100

Legislative Year 2010:

Temporary Beer Tax.
The Senate introduced an 11th hour beer tax raising rates for brewers selling over 60,000 bbls in Washington State.
Guild Position on Beer Tax