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The long-awaited "growler" bill goes into effect Wednesday in Alabama. What does that mean? Breweries across the state will be able to sell beer directly to customers for off-premise consumption for the first time. Industry leaders have called the legislation a "game changer" for breweries, tourism and economic development.

We spoke with several Huntsville-area breweries to see what they have planned for June 1 in celebration of the new law. Read on for more details.

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Straight to Ale

3200 Leeman Ferry Road S.W., Huntsville

The brewery will host a small celebration June 1 to mark the beginning of House Bill 176, which Gov. Robert Bentley signed into law March 24. Straight to Ale co-founder Dan Perry said Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, who helped introduce the legislation, will be at the event.

"We’re very excited to finally be able to provide beer to-go for our customers, so we will have both 32-ounce Crowlers and 64-ounce glass growlers of any of our 10 taps available, along with all varieties of our packaged beer," he told AL.com. "I’m not sure what to expect as far as volume, but I do expect it to be very convenient for everyone."

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Yellowhammer Brewing

2600 Clinton Ave. West, Huntsville

General Manager Ethan Couch said Yellowhammer Head Brewer Keith Yager has brewed an apricot-infused seasonal beer, Liquid Sunshine, to mark the occasion.

"We've got growlers in all formats for our customers, glass, insulated stainless, and 32-ounce Crowlers, a sealable aluminum can/growler," he said. "This new law really opens up our ability to launch special releases to a specific audience, and allows patrons and tourists to conveniently take beer they enjoy in the taproom home to their friends and family."

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Rocket Republic Brewing Co.

289 Production Ave., Madison

Like Yellowhammer and Straight to Ale, Rocket Republic has purchased a Crowler machine and will offer most of its beer in 32-ounce cans that are filled and seamed at the brewery. Rocket Republic's 12-ounce cans of Vapor Trail and AstroNut Brown also will be available in six-packs.

Co-owner Eric Crigger said the passage of the "growler" bill has increased production demand at the brewery. The small business is hiring two additional employees and plans to open the business early at 3 p.m. each day to handle retail sales.

"The law simply allows another avenue for customer to obtain our product, the only product we manufacture, right at the source," he said. "It's a matter of consumer choice and freedom. We are optimistic this will have a positive impact not just for us but for our retail partners as well."

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Salty Nut Brewery

2406 Clinton Ave. West, Huntsville

Salty Nut made a splash last month when it announced its new Unimpeachable Pale Ale, a limited-release peach beer inspired by the recent Bentley scandal. The controversial beer will be released June 1 the day to-go sales become legal.

Co-owner Jay Kissell said they will get the party started a little early that day by opening at 11 a.m.

"We've invested in a Crowler machine, which will allow us to sell 32-ounce cans of Salty Nut beer to-go," he said. "All of our beers will be available in this format starting June 1. In addition to Crowlers, we will also fill customer growlers."

Back Alley Traveling Bistro will be on-site in the evening serving dinner. Kissell said customers who purchase food from Back Alley Traveling Bistro will be entered to win a custom ceramic growler from Southern Growler. Jimmy Henderson will also perform live blues and rock that evening.

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Blue Pants Brewery

500 Lanier Road, Madison

Everything Blue Pants makes will be available in bottles, cans, crowlers and growlers on June 1. Don't have a growler of your own? Owner Mike Spratley said they will have them for sale at the brewery.

Spratley said they will mark the occasion with several high-gravity specialty beers, including the Blue Pants Imperial Pils, Brett Fermented Pinstripe, Bourbon Aged Wee Heavy, and the medal-winning Adambier.

"We've made smaller batches of our old Knickerbocker and Tuxedo beers to sell just from the taproom," he said. "Lastly, we have our Double IPA, which we are going to be selling straight off the bottling line by the case which we are preselling at the taproom now."

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Old Black Bear Brewing

212 Main St., Madison

Owner Todd Seaton said the following beers will be available on June 1: Cave City Lager, 256 Extra Pale Ale, Speckled Trout American Wheat, Rockledge Extra IPA, Bear Sweat Double IPA and New Hefeweissen.

"We have purchased growlers, but that's about it as far as preparation," he said. "I don't think much will change. We'll see some folks come by to get growlers filled 'cause it's new, then I feel it will die down."

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Singin' River Brewing Co.

526 E. College St., Florence

The Shoals brewery recently expanded its tap selection from eight beers to 16, and has ramped up production to fit in several brews on the Singin' river nano system. Co-owner Rob Jones said they have also purchased a Crowler machine to fill 32-ounce cans.

"We will also be filling growlers, but they will need to bring their own as we aren’t selling glass growlers," he told AL.com. "We have also added hard cider made from 100-percent fresh pressed apple juice from Alabama. We currently have four cider taps."

Singin' River is normally closed on Wednesdays but taproom manager, Josh, will open the brewery at 4 p.m. on June 1 in celebration of the law change.

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Mad Malts Brewing

109 Maple Ave., Huntsville

Mad Malts will host a stainless steel growler sale June 1, co-owner Jeff Peck said.

"We have four types," he said. "We have a 32-ounce and 64-ounce flip top growlers, and we have 64-ounce and 128-ounce mini-kegs with an optional draft/CO2 system. If our on-hand supplies run out during the sale, all orders placed during the special promotions period will receive the discounted prices."

Pricing details are available at www.facebook.com/MadMaltsBrewing1.

They will also expand their taproom hours to 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday, and 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.