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Farmer-Brewer License Change Threatens Local Breweries
ResumeOn Monday, the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission sent out a new advisory that beer brewers who operate under a farmer-brewer license will need to grow 50 percent of their raw material themselves, or buy it from local farms.
The advisory came as a shock to many in the craft beer industry. Though local small brewers often buy some of their raw material locally, Rob Martin, president of the Massachusetts Brewers Association and owner of Ipswich Brewery, says that the state lacks the infrastructure to produce enough malt and hops to keep all of the breweries going on local crops alone.
State Treasurer Steven Grossman will meet with brewers on Monday, and hopes to reach a compromise that will benefit small businesses and farmers alike.
Guests:
- Rob Martin, president, Massachusetts Brewers Guild; owner, Ipswich Ale Brewery
- Steven Grossman, treasurer, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
This program aired on August 5, 2011.