Iowa Brewers Guild » Beer News

Iowa Beer Equality Bill – Action Needed

admin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:19:56 +0000

We have just gotten word that the high alcohol beer portion of SF 2088, which would allow Iowa breweries to make and sell beer up to 12%, is in jeopardy. Please reach out to the Governor’s office and request the Governor’s support for the high alcohol beer portion of SF 2088.

You can contact the Governor’s office at 515.281-5211 or online.

UPDATE: Please hold on phone calls at this point. We don’t think this was a false alarm, but we are now being told that the Governor’s office is supportive and we don’t need to call about the Iowa Beer Equality bill. Back down and reload folks! We’ll launch again if we need to.

IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE ALERT – IMMEDIATE RESPONSE REQUESTED!

admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:05:10 +0000

Iowa Beer Equality Bill Supporters:

Representative Mark Smith (D-District #43) has offered an amendment H 8084 to SF 2088 that would end up striking the provisions for high alcohol beer. It will be debated this afternoon – 5:30 p.m. in the House.

You need to call or e-mail your House member and ask them to oppose the Smith Amendment — this is a free/open vote in the Democratic Caucus which means they will not be persuaded how to vote.

Representative Smith is concerned about increased consumption and substance abuse.

Calls or emails should be made to ALL House members! House switchboard – 515.281.3221 or find e-mail addresses at http://www3.legis.state.ia.us/ga/legislators.do?ch=h&ga=83.

Support Iowa Beer Equality Bill

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:48:34 +0000

Tell Iowa legislators to support the Iowa Beer Equality Bill (amended version of SF 2091).

Iowa breweries are at a competitive disadvantage because they are prohibited from selling beer above 5% ABW. Out of state breweries are not subject to this restriction and are currently distributing through the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division.

SF 2091 bill was introduced in the Iowa Senate yesterday. An amended version will be presented and voted on in the Senate’s State Government Committee Tuesday, February 9 at 9am.

Please email the members of the Senate’s State Government Committee TODAY and encourage them to support the amended version of SF 2091. The amended version of SF 2091 will…

• Provide an equal playing field for Iowa breweries and brewpubs to manufacture and sell beer up to 12% ABW just like out of state breweries are already doing in Iowa
• Allow Iowa’s beer wholesalers to distribute all beer up to 12% ABW, rather than the current distribution through the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division

Also help us spread the word by joining the I Support the Iowa Beer Equality Bill group on Facebook.

Senate’s State Government Committee

Staci Appel (D, District 37), Chair
staci.appel@legis.state.ia.us

John P. (Jack) Kibbie (D, District 4), Vice Chair
john.kibbie@legis.state.ia.us

Randy Feenstra (R, District 2), Ranking Member
randy.feenstra@legis.state.ia.us

Dennis H. Black (D, District 21)
dennis.black@legis.state.ia.us

Thomas G. Courtney (D, District 44)
thomas.courtney@legis.state.ia.us

Jeff Danielson (D, District 10)
jeff.danielson@legis.state.ia.us

Dick L. Dearden (D, District 34)
dick.dearden@legis.state.ia.us

David Hartsuch (R, District 41)
david.hartsuch@legis.state.ia.us

Jack Hatch (D, District 33)
jack.hatch@legis.state.ia.us

Wally E. Horn (D, District 17)
wally.horn@legis.state.ia.us

Pam Jochum (D, District 14)
Pam.Jochum@legis.state.ia.us

James A. Seymour (R, District 28)
james.seymour@legis.state.ia.us

Steven J. Sodders (D, District 22)
steve.sodders@legis.state.ia.us

Ron Wieck (R, District 27)
ron.wieck@legis.state.ia.us

Brewer’s Association Position Statement on Alcohol Content

Jill - Olde Main Brewing Co. — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:30:30 +0000

The Brewer’s Association recently held a forum and released position statements on a variety of topics. One of particular interest was on the alcohol content in beer. Here is the position statement:

Alcohol Content in Beer
The Brewers Association (BA) believes the American beer drinker should have access to the widest range of domestically brewed beers made available by licensed breweries. The BA advocates for and supports state laws and regulatory protocols which expand beer drinker choice in the American marketplace. The accessibility of diverse American beer styles should reflect demand for these beers from responsible beer drinkers, and should not be restricted through artificial barriers to market entry.
BA believes that to provide the greatest ongoing choice for American beer drinkers, consistent with historical brewing tradition and beer’s valued role in American food and beverage culture, brewers should have the right to offer beers of varying alcohol content and not be restricted by limits of alcohol by volume (abv) or alcohol by weight (abw). Similarly, American beer drinkers should have the right to the responsible enjoyment of different beer styles with the appropriate alcohol strength without having to pay a different tax based on the alcohol content of the beer.

Read more of the Brewer’s Association’s position statements here.

Tapping at Rock Bottom

Eric — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:19:31 +0000

On August 6th from 6 p.m. until 6:30 we will be celebrating the tapping of the Sticke Altbier. Hit rockbottom.com for more info.

Just tapped @ RB

Eric — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:16:11 +0000

Mt. Hood E.S.B. on Signature Hop Series and Hoppy Peaches and Tettnanger Pale on cask

Iowa’s Craft Breweries Celebrate American Craft Beer Week, May 11-17

admin — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:34:42 +0000

The Iowa Brewers Guild announces events for American Craft Beer Week (May 11-17), a national celebration highlighting the culture and contributions of craft beer. Iowa brewers hope the week inspires beer lovers to declare their independence by supporting breweries that produce fewer than 2 million barrels of beer a year and are independently owned. Events across the state are planned including brewery tours, new beer releases, special deals, and more.

To coincide with American Craft Beer Week, the Iowa Brewers Guild will launch their Web site IowaBeer.org. The site will feature all the breweries in Iowa, as well as a blog, event calendar, beer education, and a forum to discuss everything about Iowa beer. The Iowa Brewer’s Guild will also a launch an Iowa Beer Facebook page and Twitter account.

American Craft Beer Week Events in Iowa

Granite City – Cedar Rapids, Clive, Davenport
All locations will give brewery tours on Saturday, May 16 from 2-5pm and feature the new seasonal beer, Blueberry Ale. The Davenport location is offering free mug club memberships during the brewery tours.

Millstream Brewing Co. – Amana
Brewery tours will be held on Saturday, May 16 from 1-4 pm.

Olde Main Brewing Co. – Ames
On Thursday, May 14 from 5-8pm take a tour of the brewery, participate in the tapping of a firkin, taste more than 8 beers on tap, and take home a growler or six-pack.

Raccoon River Brewing Company – Des Moines
Tours will be given of the brew house on Saturday, May 16 from 1-4pm. Also take advantage of $6 paddle racks to sample each of Raccoon River’s brews and try the chef’s special appetizers.

Rock Bottom – West Des Moines
An open house will be held on May 16 from 11am-4pm. Patrons can enjoy 13 different beers on tap and sign the Declaration of Beer Independence. All week there will be a toast to craft beer during each happy hour. Enjoy new beers Stand Up Ale (California Pale Ale) and Pink Ribbon Ale (proceeds benefit Breast Cancer Awareness).