Brewers across Alabama came together to brew a special Guild collaboration this year. Duffie's Tavern Strong Ale is now working its way through the distribution system and will soon be available at bars and stores throughout the state. This is the fourth release in our Capital Series of annual collaborations. With cooperation from the Alabama Bicentennial Commission, these beers are designed to bring attention to Alabama's 200th year of statehood, and to promote local historical and preservation organizations. Each year in [...]

The 115th Congress passed the provisions of the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA), which lowers the federal excise tax for breweries, on December 20, 2017. Under the bill, the federal excise tax will be reduced to $3.50/barrel (from $7/barrel) on the first 60,000 barrels for domestic brewers producing less than 2 million barrels annually, and reduced to $16/barrel (from $18/barrel) on the first 6 million barrels for all other brewers and all beer importers. The bill would [...]

The Alabama Brewers Guild today announced that it has hired Dan Roberts as its new executive director. "The consensus was that Dan was ultimately the best qualified candidate based on his experience and knowledge of our unique industry," said Guild president Derrell Winowich. "His commitment to furthering the growth and progression of Alabama beer and other alcohol related industries in the state ultimately gave him him the edge over the other applicants." Dan was the Guild's first executive director, leaving [...]

Two of our brewing members recently consolidated through an acquisition. These types of business transactions are a normal part of a healthy and growing industry. Fans should be thrilled that both breweries continue to be owned by local, independent interests with a proven commitment to craft beer. Moving forward, we are confident that both brands will continue their unique styles and flavors that their fans have come to love.

Full job description and application instructions: Current Openings The Alabama Brewers Guild is seeking the ideal candidate to become our new Executive Director. This is a full-time, professional position that works with the Board of Directors to promote a favorable legal and market environment for the craft brewing industry in Alabama. Application deadline is September 30.

On May 26, Governor Kay Ivey signed SB234 into law. This important legislation by Senator Bill Holtzclaw protects the consumer against having his or her personal information collected by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and its licensees. It was championed in the House by Representative Anthony Daniels. An Invasive Regulation Proposed In July 2016, the Alabama ABC proposed a requirement for breweries and brewpubs to collect the name, address, telephone number, date of birth, and the transaction details of [...]

With cooperation from the Alabama Bicentennial Commission, the Alabama Brewers Guild is celebrating the state's 200th birthday with a Capital Series of annual collaboration beers. These beers recognize each of the state's five historic capitals with the last of the series to be released in conjunction with Alabama’s bicentennial in 2019. For 2017 we are releasing Mulberry Road to honor our first permanent capital at Old Cahawba (1820-1826). The series started in 2015 with the release of St. Stephens Stout, [...]

Warning: Boring documents written by lobbyists and lawyers ahead We appreciate the strong public interest in alcoholic beverage regulations following the recent proposals from the Alabama ABC Board. While the media and public have been primarily concerned with one provision of the proposals, there are actually many changes being suggested. Many of the changes don't affect beer. There are changes related to wine and spirits tastings, for example. Of the proposed changes that do affect beer: Most are pretty standard and unexciting, many are [...]

Alabama lawmakers have passed several updates to the state's alcoholic beverage laws in recent years. Craft beer fans rightly praise the legislature for bringing Alabama law up-to-date with an evolving industry. However, the real work of regulating Alabama's alcoholic beverage industry falls to the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. They do this, in part, by adopting rules and regulations. The ABC recently submitted eight proposed changes to these regulations for public comment. Alabama's craft brewers welcome many aspects of these proposals. Craft brewers even suggested some [...]

Last week, the city council of Montgomery approved an Ordinance 26-2016 allowing growlers of draft beer to go in city limits. Although the state law went into effect on June 1, the state's capital needed to update their ordinances to bring them up to par with new state laws. We would like to thank the staff at the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce for working with our members on this change. Montgomery currently has one brewpub, Railyard Brewing Co, as well as at least [...]