Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Small Vermont Brewers Tell Committee H.672 Would Ease Market Access by Allowing Limited Self-Distribution
Summary
Witnesses from the Vermont Brewers Association and two small brewers testified in favor of H.672, which would permit licensed manufacturers to self-distribute up to 5,000 barrels annually under their manufacturing license; speakers cited recent distributor closures, administrative burdens and a $1,200 annual wholesaler fee as barriers to getting product to market.
Three witnesses representing Vermont’s craft‑beer sector urged the Government Operations & Military Affairs committee to advance H.672, a bill they said would give small breweries a practical, limited option to self‑distribute beer to local bars, restaurants and retailers.
Emma Arian, executive director of the Vermont Brewers Association, told the committee that H.672 is “not radical” but a modest adjustment that would allow breweries to self‑distribute up to 5,000 barrels annually under their existing manufacturing license. She framed the change as consistent with past updates to Vermont’s alcohol laws, saying the proposal is intended as “an on ramp” that preserves the three‑tier system while helping the smallest producers access local markets.
Arian said the VBA represents 56 member breweries (about 90% of the state’s brewers) and offered statewide figures for 2024: a $460,000,000 economic impact, 353,000 barrels produced and roughly 2,800 jobs. She…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
