Germey
Well-Known Member
Well, there's been quite a bit of sympathetic talk about Anheuser-Busch around here lately.
Tonight This just came in the e-mail.
I say we mobilize the HBT machine:rockin:
Here is the text.
June 20, 2008
Dear Beer Activists and Homebrewers,
The craft brewers of California need your help! Please read the following information that has been provided by the California Small Brewers Association concerning an issue that could negatively impact California small brewers and ultimately consumer access to craft beer.
A bill sponsored by Anheuser-Busch, Assembly Bill 1245 is being voted on in committee this Tuesday, June 24th. This bill would significantly expand the limits on what a brewer can give away to a retailer. Currently, a brewer can only give away small items of minimal value to a retailer or consumer. The law now in place helps create an equal playing field for both small and large breweries. This law has helped the craft brewing industry flourish in California.
Anheuser-Busch wants to increase the limit 1,600% so they can use give-ways as an inducement to gain placements in stores, bars and restaurants. Craft brewers - because we are small, independent businesses which brew with passion and typically do not have large marketing budgets - cannot afford to compete with the big brewers on this level. Passing this bill will allow large corporate brewers to buy retail placements at craft beers expense.
The craft brewers of California will be at a distinct disadvantage if this bill passes, therefore limiting the choice and availability of craft beers in the marketplace.
There are five Senators on the committee who have indicated they will vote in favor of this bill and against your local brewery. They are:
Senator Wiggins (Mendocino, Humbolt parts of Sonoma County)
Senator Harman (Huntington Beach area)
Senator Denham (Central valley Modesto area)
Senator Yee (parts of western San Francisco County)
Senator Wyland (parts of San Diego County)
If you live in the district one of these Senators, we need your help! Please read on. If you are not sure who your Senator is, you can easily and quickly find out here.
If you are in the district of one of the five Senators above, please write a letter to fax or email, or call your Senators office no later than Monday, June 23rd.
Let your Senator know that you are opposed to AB 1245 and that this bill is anti-small business and against the best interests of the craft brewers in California.
Senator Wiggins phone 916651-4002 fax 916-323-6958 email [email protected]
Senator Harman phone 916-651-4035 fax 916-445-9263 email [email protected]
Senator Denham phone 916-651-4012 fax 916-445-0773 email [email protected]
Senator Yee phone 916-651-4008 fax 916-327-2186 email [email protected]
Senator Wyland phone 916-651-4038 fax 916-446-7382 email [email protected]
Thanks for supporting your local brewery!
The California Small Brewers Association
Smallbrewers.com
Direct questions to: [email protected]
Sincerely,
signature
Charlie Papazian
President Brewers Association
[email protected]
signature
Gary Glass
Director
American Homebrewers Association
[email protected]
www.beertown.org
Tonight This just came in the e-mail.
I say we mobilize the HBT machine:rockin:
Here is the text.
June 20, 2008
Dear Beer Activists and Homebrewers,
The craft brewers of California need your help! Please read the following information that has been provided by the California Small Brewers Association concerning an issue that could negatively impact California small brewers and ultimately consumer access to craft beer.
A bill sponsored by Anheuser-Busch, Assembly Bill 1245 is being voted on in committee this Tuesday, June 24th. This bill would significantly expand the limits on what a brewer can give away to a retailer. Currently, a brewer can only give away small items of minimal value to a retailer or consumer. The law now in place helps create an equal playing field for both small and large breweries. This law has helped the craft brewing industry flourish in California.
Anheuser-Busch wants to increase the limit 1,600% so they can use give-ways as an inducement to gain placements in stores, bars and restaurants. Craft brewers - because we are small, independent businesses which brew with passion and typically do not have large marketing budgets - cannot afford to compete with the big brewers on this level. Passing this bill will allow large corporate brewers to buy retail placements at craft beers expense.
The craft brewers of California will be at a distinct disadvantage if this bill passes, therefore limiting the choice and availability of craft beers in the marketplace.
There are five Senators on the committee who have indicated they will vote in favor of this bill and against your local brewery. They are:
Senator Wiggins (Mendocino, Humbolt parts of Sonoma County)
Senator Harman (Huntington Beach area)
Senator Denham (Central valley Modesto area)
Senator Yee (parts of western San Francisco County)
Senator Wyland (parts of San Diego County)
If you live in the district one of these Senators, we need your help! Please read on. If you are not sure who your Senator is, you can easily and quickly find out here.
If you are in the district of one of the five Senators above, please write a letter to fax or email, or call your Senators office no later than Monday, June 23rd.
Let your Senator know that you are opposed to AB 1245 and that this bill is anti-small business and against the best interests of the craft brewers in California.
Senator Wiggins phone 916651-4002 fax 916-323-6958 email [email protected]
Senator Harman phone 916-651-4035 fax 916-445-9263 email [email protected]
Senator Denham phone 916-651-4012 fax 916-445-0773 email [email protected]
Senator Yee phone 916-651-4008 fax 916-327-2186 email [email protected]
Senator Wyland phone 916-651-4038 fax 916-446-7382 email [email protected]
Thanks for supporting your local brewery!
The California Small Brewers Association
Smallbrewers.com
Direct questions to: [email protected]
Sincerely,
signature
Charlie Papazian
President Brewers Association
[email protected]
signature
Gary Glass
Director
American Homebrewers Association
[email protected]
www.beertown.org