An alcohol bill sponsored by Senator Peter Micciche (R-K-Pen) is finally seeing some progress after a long six years collecting dust in the state legislature. Senate Bill 52 seeks to modernize the states current alcohol statues. In addition a proposal from the states alcohol industry leaders would further expand on the bill, including expanding the hours breweries are allowed to stay open by two hours.

The new proposal would restrict the number of brewery taprooms, and in return existing taprooms would be allowed to stay open until 10 p.m. They would also be allowed to host four music concerts per year. The state Senate is expected to vote this week on the proposal and Senate Bill 52.

Senator Micciche: “After six years the bill is moving well. It is filled with things that are better for public health, things that are better for the industry, and things that are very good for breweries that Alaskans have proven they are very protective of and enjoy. This is the title rewrite for our 80’s version of our alcohol statute that no longer works in our industry.”

Prior to SB 52, there was SB 76, the Title 4 Review project involved an unprecedented level of collaboration between groups that has been ongoing since 2012. Micciche killed the bill in May of 2018 after an amendment to cut the on-site retail sale volumes for craft manufacturers by one-third was introduced.

The Brewers Guild of Alaska submitted comment to the Senate Finance Committee stating, “in January, we reached consensus on provisions to clarify entertainment activities, operating hours, and language to enhance and protect a positive and balanced alcohol industry moving forward. We respectfully request the Senate Finance Committee adopt language regarding these provisions, as they represent a final stakeholder agreement that has eluded our industry and made the path of broad Title 4 reform in previous sessions difficult. With these changes, the Brewer’s Guild of Alaska offers our full support of SB 52.”