SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6367

              AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 10, 1994

Brief Description:  Regulating microbreweries.

SPONSORS: Senators Moore and Newhouse

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Moore, Chairman; Prentice, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Deccio, Fraser, McAuliffe, Newhouse, Pelz, Prince, Sellar, Sutherland, Vognild and Wojahn.

Staff:  Traci Ratzliff (786‑7452)

Hearing Dates: February 1, 1994; February 2, 1994

BACKGROUND:

Currently, wine manufacturers are allowed to advertise, pour, or dispense their wine at wine tasting or judging events.  Beer manufacturers are not allowed to conduct such activities, with their beer, at beer tasting or judging events.

Special occasion licensees are currently allowed to purchase beer or wine from a wholesaler to be served at their events.  They are not allowed to purchase beer or wine from a licensed retailer.

SUMMARY:

Beer manufacturers are allowed to advertise, pour or dispense their beer at beer tasting or judging events.

Special occasion licensees may purchase beer or wine from a licensed beer or wine retailer or a licensed beer or wine wholesaler.

Appropriation:  none 

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

This bill will allow experienced employees of breweries to serve beer at beer tasting or judging events.  Currently, only untrained, inexperienced volunteers are allowed to serve beer at such events.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  T.K. Bentler, Nelson Jay, Red Hook Brewery (pro)