Gov. Jerry Brown OKs bill defining craft beers
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
Beer is bipartisan.
Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday signed a bill supported by Democrats and Republicans that ensures certain microbrews will be licensed, regulated and labeled as ‘beer’ throughout California.
The measure applies to beers aged in wooden barrels that previously held wine or other spirits, a Belgian-style brewing process that the state’s craft beer industry has embraced with gusto.
The bill’s sponsor, the California Craft Brewers Assn., feared that because the beers receive some of their flavor from the alcohol in the wood they could be considered distilled spirits -- and thus taxed at a higher rate.
In a letter urging Brown to sign the measure, Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro (D-Eureka) argued that a clarification of existing rules was necessary. Under state law, he said, beer with ‘any amount of alcohol derived from distilled spirits ... even trace amounts’ could be classified as a distilled spirit.
Chesbro, whose district includes the popular Lost Coast Brewery, also noted that the bill passed both chambers of the Legislature unanimously.
-- Michael J. Mishak in Sacramento
ALSO:
State is on the hunt for redevelopment money
California cities lose battle with state for property tax funds
Gov. Jerry Brown signs budget that relies on voter-backed tax hikes