I received the e-mail from the Colorado Brewers Guild describing why we should appose craft beer. I think the Brewers Guild e-mail has some good points but I added a few additional reasons why I think we should appose HB1186! So while you're surfing homebrewtalk at work tomorrow shoot an email to your representative.
Thanks Guys!
Here is what I said to my Representative:
Representative McCann:
I oppose HB1186; the email below outlines my reasoning in five points. This Bill does not support the craft beer industry for which Colorado is famous. Please vote no on HB1186, and I'll bring over a home brewed beer and we can celebrate!
1. If convenience stores are allowed to sell full strength beer this will take business from small local liquor store retailers. There is a fixed amount of beer purchased in Colorado . If convenience stores are allowed to sell full strength beer you are taking revenue from liquor stores and adding revenue to convenience stores. Liquor Stores are small locally owned businesses. Many convenience stores are franchised and are nation brands. This bill will take revenue from liquor stores and give it to national convenience stores. Therefore, this bill does not supporting Colorado small local businesses.
2. Because they already sell 3.2% beer, convenience stores have a standing relationship with big distributors and most likely will continue to buy beer from those big distributors. Big distributors sell big beer brands like Bud, Miller, and Coors. Colorado has 106 breweries and many of these are brands are self distributed or distributed through smaller distributors. By allowing convenience stores to sell full strength beer you are essentially reducing the opportunity for small local breweries to sell their beer. These house bills again support big business and hurts small local businesses, both small breweries and small distributors.
3. Small locally owned liquor stores sell locally produced beer. These locally produced beers are Colorado companies and create Colorado jobs.
4. Craft beer made by small businesses sells for more money then less expensive beers that will be sold in convenience stores; higher dollars sales in liquor stores means more tax revenue for the state.
5. Craft beer is an essential part of the Colorado economy. The craft brewers association is based in our state. Colorado hosts the Great American Beer festival which hosts 49,000 attendees many from out of state. Craft beer needs the support of local laws.
Thank you for all your hard work towards protecting Colorado craft beer interests!
Cheers,
Patrick
Town
Email
Telephone
________________________________________________________________
E-mail from the Colorado Brewers Guild:
Dear Representative_____________________,
Please vote NO on HB1186 and HB1279.
My name is ____________________ and I love Colorado craft beer. I need your help. I need you to vote NO on HB1186 the Convenience-Store bill and HB1279 the Grocery-Store bill.
These bills are putting my beer at risk because my favorite brewery is less likely to get vital shelf space if corporate chain stores control the Colorado beer market. If I cant find my favorite craft beer on the shelf, I cant buy it. Access to market is critical in the beer industry and these bills move in the wrong direction.
These bills will kill jobs, not grow them. Please vote NO and preserve primary employer jobs in Colorado. Our brewers make stuff. They brew beer. Thats important. Help Colorado Brewers grow, and grow the state economy.
Colorado is the envy of the nation when it comes to craft beer and these bills will change that. These bills mean less selection and higher prices for Colorado beer lovers, like me, and I am upset.
Please vote NO on HB1186 and HB1279.
Sincerely,
Name
Town
Email
Telephone
________________________________________________________
find your district:
http://comaps.org/allsearch.html
e-mail your representative found here:
http://www.votesmart.org/
Thanks Guys!
Here is what I said to my Representative:
Representative McCann:
I oppose HB1186; the email below outlines my reasoning in five points. This Bill does not support the craft beer industry for which Colorado is famous. Please vote no on HB1186, and I'll bring over a home brewed beer and we can celebrate!
1. If convenience stores are allowed to sell full strength beer this will take business from small local liquor store retailers. There is a fixed amount of beer purchased in Colorado . If convenience stores are allowed to sell full strength beer you are taking revenue from liquor stores and adding revenue to convenience stores. Liquor Stores are small locally owned businesses. Many convenience stores are franchised and are nation brands. This bill will take revenue from liquor stores and give it to national convenience stores. Therefore, this bill does not supporting Colorado small local businesses.
2. Because they already sell 3.2% beer, convenience stores have a standing relationship with big distributors and most likely will continue to buy beer from those big distributors. Big distributors sell big beer brands like Bud, Miller, and Coors. Colorado has 106 breweries and many of these are brands are self distributed or distributed through smaller distributors. By allowing convenience stores to sell full strength beer you are essentially reducing the opportunity for small local breweries to sell their beer. These house bills again support big business and hurts small local businesses, both small breweries and small distributors.
3. Small locally owned liquor stores sell locally produced beer. These locally produced beers are Colorado companies and create Colorado jobs.
4. Craft beer made by small businesses sells for more money then less expensive beers that will be sold in convenience stores; higher dollars sales in liquor stores means more tax revenue for the state.
5. Craft beer is an essential part of the Colorado economy. The craft brewers association is based in our state. Colorado hosts the Great American Beer festival which hosts 49,000 attendees many from out of state. Craft beer needs the support of local laws.
Thank you for all your hard work towards protecting Colorado craft beer interests!
Cheers,
Patrick
Town
Telephone
________________________________________________________________
E-mail from the Colorado Brewers Guild:
Dear Representative_____________________,
Please vote NO on HB1186 and HB1279.
My name is ____________________ and I love Colorado craft beer. I need your help. I need you to vote NO on HB1186 the Convenience-Store bill and HB1279 the Grocery-Store bill.
These bills are putting my beer at risk because my favorite brewery is less likely to get vital shelf space if corporate chain stores control the Colorado beer market. If I cant find my favorite craft beer on the shelf, I cant buy it. Access to market is critical in the beer industry and these bills move in the wrong direction.
These bills will kill jobs, not grow them. Please vote NO and preserve primary employer jobs in Colorado. Our brewers make stuff. They brew beer. Thats important. Help Colorado Brewers grow, and grow the state economy.
Colorado is the envy of the nation when it comes to craft beer and these bills will change that. These bills mean less selection and higher prices for Colorado beer lovers, like me, and I am upset.
Please vote NO on HB1186 and HB1279.
Sincerely,
Name
Town
Telephone
________________________________________________________
find your district:
http://comaps.org/allsearch.html
e-mail your representative found here:
http://www.votesmart.org/