Forbes recently ran a piece on nationwide ABC reforms by Americans for Tax Reform Vice President of State Affairs, Patrick Gleason. Gleason’s commentary included recent reforms and reform attempts in states all over the country such as North Carolina, South Carolina, Maine, and Pennsylvania, as well as a potential federal reform. His segment on N.C. reforms sourced JLF research and Carolina Journal articles. When discussing the Craft Beer Distribution and Modernization Act – a bill which lets brewers self-distribute up to 50,000 barrels of beer – Gleason offered this synopsis:

Brewers in North Carolina can now produce up to 50,000 barrels and still self-distribute, reforming a regime that previously “gave distributors a great deal of power but forced brewers into a tough choice not based on market dynamics: stay small or give up all distribution to a third party,” writes Jon Sanders, director of regulatory studies at the John Locke Foundation, a Raleigh-based think tank. 

Gleason also includes quotes from two Carolina Journal articles about the influence of a lawsuit levied by craft breweries as well as CJ’s reporting on distillery legislation, SB 290, currently in the House.

Additionally, Gleason’s Forbes piece also reports on successful distribution reforms in Maine, failed reform attempts in South Carolina, and lowered sales taxes on breweries in Pennsylvania. The piece also mentions a congressional bill which would lower taxation for breweries, wineries, and distilleries. Gleason writes:

H.R. 1175, the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, has secured enough support that its co-sponsors now comprise majorities in both the U.S. House and Senate. This legislation would make the tax relief for brewers, distillers, and wine makers that was part of the 2017 tax reform bill, permanent.

Gleason believes these changes are beneficial ones. He writes:

By removing statutory and regulatory impediments facing brewers, distillers, and wineries – as lawmakers in red and blue states have done this year – politicians are removing unnecessary inconveniences for consumers and tearing down barriers to job creation and economic growth. Given the bipartisan support such reforms have received, expect this trend to continue.

Read the full piece here. Learn more about ABC reform in North Carolina here.