[an excerpt from What Are You Drinking?, March 1, 2013, by Matt McGinnis]
Texans love to crow about the great beer scene in the state. They point to the insane growth in breweries and production. Sure, the craft brew industry in Texas is enjoying explosive expansion with brewers almost doubling the number of barrels they produced from 2010 to 2011 according to a study commissioned by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild. They point to the award winning quality and diversity of styles of beer that have consumers clamoring. Sure Texans are bringing home medals in international competitions and we are enthusiastically draining pints of locally made brew as fast as it is made. That doesn’t make a great beer state. It’s not great at all.
If state of the Texas craft beer industry were great, we would be able to buy an armload of 750 ml bottles of Jester King after a visit to the brewery. Or we could grab a six-pack of Uncle Billy’s at the local HEB. But we can’t. Alas, Texas laws prohibit breweries to sell directly to consumers on-site and bars brewpubs from selling package beer at off-site retail locations. That sucks.
This month Senate Bills 515, 516, 517 and 518 were filed in the State Legislature aimed at overturning those archaic laws that artificially constrain the business of craft brewers and limit consumer choice. Don’t get your hopes up too fast. Similar bills filed last year failed to reach a vote. Until politicians hear our voices and wake up to the economic opportunities of selling craft beer in an open market, Texas is not a great beer state.
Until then, we will have to leave the comfort of home to drink great beer at brew pubs. Fortunately there are some great ones to choose from in Austin. more