This just in: At 6:21 pm, the Senate approved S3053 Sub A — 37 yeas, 0 nays — which will allow breweries to sell 288 ounces of beer for off-premise consumption [in any combo of growlers, crowlers, bottles, and cans] and sell 36 ounces in-house [the bill also helps the state’s distilleries, greenlighting sales of spirits: 750ml to-go and 4.5 on-site]. Huzzah!

UPDATE [@ 8:35 pm]: There’s another hoop [or two] to jump through. The bill that passed the House on May 19 included a 48-ounce limit for on-site sales. The House bill — amended to reflect the Senate version– was voted out of committee this evening. It will likely be posted to the Senate calendar on Wednedsday [6.15] for a vote by the full Senate and sent back to the House. At this point, the House will assign both the Senate and House bills to committee for another hearing/vote. Both bills will be voted out of committee on Thursday [6.16] and move to the floor for a full House vote late Thursday or Friday [6.17] pending on the length of the House calendar. The good news is that the bills are identical and there is no opposition; it is now just a procedural process to get them past the finish line. So, still: huzzah!

We’re hoping that Governor Raimondo signs the bill as soon as it crosses the finish line, so the state’s brewers can grow their businesses by selling — and making more of — their finely-crafted fare. Keep your fingers crossed until the ink dries on the document. Then raise a glass in celebration!

Thanks to all who supported the push for the passage of better beer laws. In 2017, let’s rally to raise the beer bar even higher; check our “Growlers and beyond” piece from 5.22.15 for a few items to add to the next legislative wish list.