Beer Sellers in Maine Fight for the Right to Sell More Beer

Beer sellers and connoisseurs across Maine are hoping to gain some support for a bill set to go before the house later this month that would allow business other than breweries to dispense beer in refillable containers known as growlers.

The bill, LD-1082, written by local wine and cheese proprietor, Eric Mihan and presented by Senator Geoffrey Gratwick, serves to expand the current liquor licenses of area bottle shops, bars and grocery stores by allowing these establishments the legal right to fill and sell alcoholic beverages currently only permitted to be sold by the brewers responsible for making them.

If this growler legislation is passed, not only would it benefit the beer drinker, but it would also increase the overall health of the economy for both independent breweries and local retailers, says Mihan. What’s more, he added, is that it would give the consumer the opportunity to purchase a wider variety of fresh beer to be enjoyed from the comforts of their own homes.

The bill will go before the house during a public hearing on April 24, 2013. Those interested in supporting this bill are asked to write to their local Senator or Representative to let them know you support bill LD-1082.