Brewers are confident that 2016 will be the year for the so-called "growler law" that would allow them to sell beer directly to consumers.

The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Study Commission voted Tuesday on recommendations to present to the state legislature that included loosening regulations on breweries, brewpubs, wineries and distilleries to allow greater retail opportunities.

The recommendations passed Tuesday include the following:

Small brewers and brewpubs would be able to sell less than 60,000 barrels per year for retail, and sell up to 288 ounces per consumer per day, in any packaging including bottles, cans or growlers.

Brewpubs would no longer have to be located in a historic building or economically distressed area.

Brewers could directly deliver beer to charity functions, up to two kegs per event.

Alabama wineries would be able to retail wines at one ABC-board approved location.

Alabama distilleries would be able to directly sell consumers up to one 750 milliliter bottle of their spirits per person per year, only for off-premise consumption.

Jason Wilson, founder and CEO of Back Forty Beer Co. in Gadsden and President of the Alabama Brewers Guild, said the legislation, if passed, would be huge for his brewery. Wilson said customers come in asking for a 6-pack or growler daily, and the staff have to direct them a few blocks away for the nearest store that stocks their product.

"It's mostly people traveling through, who have heard of the brewery and pulled off the interstate for a tour," Wilson said. "I have to send them around the corner."

Wilson said he expects there will be something written into the law that prohibits brewers from selling their beer at a price lower than retailers, and that should protect the interests of brewers, distributors and retailers.

"It'll allow a lot of these smaller, fledgling breweries to keep their lights on while they're still trying to establish their brands," Wilson said.

[Related: Madison County brewers thrilled with state recommendations for growler sales]

The Legislature gave formed an Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Study Commission last year to study other states' alcohol laws. Rep. Alan Harper and Sen. Paul Sanford chaired the commission.

Members of the commission traveled to both North Carolina and Colorado to study the alcohol legislation where the beer industry thrives.

Sanford said he's confident that all recommendations voted on Tuesday will be passed this session.

"I'm happy with what we've got, but I still think there's work to be done," Sanford said.