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Massachusetts brewers press for self‑distribution, contiguous‑premises relief and protections in franchise law
Summary
Massachusetts brewers asked the Joint Committee to amend laws to allow limited self‑distribution for brewpubs, remove a contiguous‑premises requirement, and prevent franchise‑law changes that could lock breweries into wholesaler contracts after a sale.
Representatives of more than 230 Massachusetts craft breweries urged the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to advance several reforms they say would help small manufacturers remain viable.
The Mass Brewers Guild told the committee that brewpubs should be allowed to self‑distribute limited quantities of beer and asked that the committee revisit a requirement that on‑premises production and retail areas be contiguous. "Allowing limited self distribution puts brewpubs on a more equal footing with other manufacturers, supports sustainability, and keeps more money in the local economy," Caleb Hilliades, director of brewing operations at Amherst Brewing, said. Hilliades said his group had tentatively agreed on a 50,000‑gallon cap for a proposed limited…
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