A bill signed into law last year allowing brewers to sell beer directly to consumers has had a major impact on Yellowhammer Brewing in Huntsville.

Co-founder and General Manager Ethan Couch said the Campus No. 805 establishment has had more than 5,000 to-go purchases since the bill became a law, giving brewers that make less than 60,000 barrels per year the opportunity to sell up to 288 ounces of beer per customer per day for off-premise consumption.

Couch said the most popular to-go item is the "Crowler," a 32-ounce can Yellowhammer fills from its taps and packages with an on-site industrial seamer.

"It's fun to watch, and we've found that they last longer than typical growlers," he said. "I was surprised by how much people love having beer straight from the source. We love it because we get to brew more styles, and get feedback from what our guests prefer."

The law, which mirrored recommendations presented by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Study Commission, has been in effect since June 1, 2016. It allows breweries to deliver up to two donated kegs of beer to a licensed charity event and no longer requires brewpubs to open only in historic buildings, historic districts or economically distressed areas.

Green Bus Brewing owner Jason Sledd said the "growler bill" has enhanced his 9-month-old downtown Huntsville operation, which is small in scale and relies on to-go sales to provide beer to customers outside the taproom.

"Being able to come in and try a beer where it was made, and then take some home 'from the source' is an essential part of the brewery experience," he said. "It's what helps bring people to (our) location. The growler experience helps bring people to Huntsville to visit all of our great breweries."

Sledd said Green Bus and other breweries worked with the Alabama Brewers Guild in Birmingham to introduce and pass the "common sense" legislation he believes will increase jobs and tourism over time.

While the law has had a positive impact on Rocket Republic Brewing's bottom line, co-founder Eric Crigger said it has benefited the taproom customers most of all.

"Visiting our brewery, touring our facility and then taking home the freshest Rocket Republic beer you can purchase goes along with creating that emotional connection between the customer and the brewery," he said. "That relationship is difficult to quantify but vital to our well being. To me, this has been the greatest benefit."

Crigger said the majority of his taproom customers to not purchase beer to-go, but it has allowed the Madison business to invest in equipment, training and staffing, as well as build a new revenue stream.

Yellowhammer broke ground in March on a $1.2 million expansion of its 2600 Clinton Avenue facility, which will feature 8,000 square feet of new production space, an event hall, a biergarten for small concerts and private parties, and a small-scale distillery to serve the taproom and provide take-home beverages to customers.

The $1.2 million addition will be on the back of Yellowhammer's current building and extend to Hall Avenue. With the beer to-go bill in effect, Couch said they plan on adding more formats and specialty products later this year.

"We have some regular guests who come in for their favorite style, and some who prefer a different style every time," he said. "It's been a lot of fun."

Salty Nut co-founder Jay Kissell said they've seen a modest sales increase from off-premise sales at the brewery along Clinton Avenue.

"Our customers appreciate the convenience that this gives them, particularly our out-of-town visitors," he said.