Beer-sipping bill brings puns, skepticism from lawmakers

Teenage students at local colleges would get the chance to sip — but not swallow — beer before they turn 21 if a Murfreesboro lawmaker's bill wins approval.

The bill, sponsored by Republican Sen. Bill Ketron, would allow underage college students to taste beer they make in a brewing course. The students, who would have to be at least 18, would be required to spit the beer out under the supervision of a professor.

It's a prospect that drew plenty of smirks — and puns — at the Senate State and Local Government Committee hearing Tuesday. Sen. Thelma Harper was among the lawmakers who seemed skeptical students wouldn't swallow their brews.

"We've got to face reality," said Harper, D-Nashville. "For me, it doesn't make good sense."

Ketron said the bill would give students "the right kinds of smarts and skills and opportunities they'd need" to work in Tennessee's growing craft beer industry. Similar laws have passed in other states such as California that have large numbers of vineyards.

"It's an economic bill, it's a jobs bill, and it's a revenue bill," Ketron told his colleagues.

Ketron said the bill stemmed in part from a conversation with Provost Brad Bartel at Middle Tennessee State University. An MTSU spokesman said the university is in the first stages of considering beer and wine-making programs.

The Senate committee held off on a vote Tuesday, but plans were made to revisit the bill next week.

"We'll give this an opportunity to ferment," said committee Chairman Ken Yager, R-Kingston.

After the meeting, Ketron said he was optimistic that he would get support from the majority of the committee. He planned to spend the week answering committee members' questions.

Yazoo Brewing Co. owner Linus Hall said he discussed the bill with Ketron on Monday and was supportive of the idea. He said his company spends many hours training employees before they are ready to start brewing.

"There's not a lot of options for learning brewing science," Hall said. "To have some programs locally that would feed into our workforce would be great."

Reach Adam Tamburin at 615-726-5986 and on Twitter @tamburintweets.