Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin tours Clipper City Brewing, talks taxes

Just days before the start of American Craft Beer Week in May, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced a bill to stimulate regional economies nationwide with a reduction in the excise tax on each barrel of beer (one barrel being 31 gal) brewed by craft brewers. It’s called the “Small BREW Act” (S. 917, The Small Brewer Reinvestment and Expanding Workforce Act), and it’s one of the most important pieces of legislation for craft beer currently circling Congress. On July 19, as part of Cardin’s “Made in Maryland” tour of small businesses throughout the state, he visited the Clipper City Brewing Co., which produces the Heavy Seas brands of craft beer. The senator took the opportunity to discuss the Small BREW Act. Just take a look see above.