As Columbus Brewing Co.’s Eric Bean told Craft Brewing Business earlier this year, legislation and regulation is going to catch up to the rapid rise of craft beer popularity and craft community practices like the sale of growlers. What Bean called the “Wild West” is being tamed in states where growler law battles are being fought (like Florida and Minnesota), but score one for the good guys — growler sales are now legal in Delaware liquor stores.
Delaware.newszap.com reported that growlers were only available at breweries before House Bill 31. From delaware.newszap.com:
Under House Bill 31, liquor stores will be able to purchase a growler filler permit for $150 every two years, allowing them to fill, cap and sell growlers to go.
Delaware Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner Jack Cordrey said he expects that his office will be able to start issuing growler filler permits within a week.
Wider distribution means more opportunities for craft brewers — regardless of size. Dogfish Head Craft Brewery brewer Jesse Prall told WDEL 1150 AM News Talk Radio that allowing growler sales at liquor stores will keep the business in the state. Neighboring states like Pennsylvania and New Jersey already allow growler sales in liquor stores and posed a threat to Delaware.
The measure was sponsored by Democrats Rep. Deb Heffernan (D-Brandywine Hundred) and Sen. Dave Sokola (D-Newark).
Micah Weathers liked this on Facebook.