Franchot Announces New Legislative Push To Deregulate Breweries

Comptroller Peter Franchot on Monday announced the latest push in his campaign to unshackle Maryland breweries.

The Reform On Tap Act of 2018 would tear down what he sees as unnecessary barriers to craft brewers.

"If we could just get out of the way and remove some of the impediments, statutory and regulatory, this sector would take off like a rocket," Franchot told C4.

The bill would remove limits on beer production, taproom sales and take-home sales, guarantee restaurant-style or tavern-style liquor licenses to microbreweries, let localities set guidelines for taproom hours and remove restrictions on contract brewing.

"Comptroller Franchot's legislation would provide the framework needed for Maryland's craft beer industry to thrive" Adam Benesch, co-founder of Woodberry's Union Craft Brewing, said in a statement. "Maryland brewers, distributors and retailers all stand to benefit from the continued growth and success of our industry."

Franchot said the manufacturing jobs legislators covet are in that industry.

"It's a catalyst for everything we care about as far as economic opportunity for our citizens," Franchot said. "This is going to be a very stimulating issue for our citizens to communicate with their legislators."