Michigan microbrewers will be able to produce more beer if a package of regulatory laws keeps its momentum through the state Legislature.

The measures — House bills 4709, 4710 and 4711 — sailed through the House Regulatory Reform Committee with unanimous approval. The bills now head to the House floor.

HB 4709, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Cotter, R-Mt. Pleasant, would increase the amount of beer a microbrewer could brew annually to 60,000 barrels from 30,000.

HB 4710, sponsored by Rep. Peter MacGregor, R-Cannon Township, would allow a brewpub to have an interest in as many as five other brewpubs, as long as the combined production of those brewpubs does not exceed 18,000 barrels in a year. The law now limits a brewpub to having an interest in up to two others, so long as combined production does not exceed 5,000 barrels a year, according to a House Fiscal Agency analysis.

HB 4711, sponsored by Rep. Andy Schor, D-Lansing, would allow a brewer to sell beer for on-premises consumption at up to two of its licensed locations where it produces beer. The law now only allows for a brewer to sell its beer for on-premises consumption at one location.

Under state law, microbreweries can sell only the beer they produce, and they cannot sell wine or spirits.

A brewpub operates like other establishments with a Class C liquor license, but they also can make and sell their own beer in a limited capacity.

Under state law, a person can’t have interest in a brewpub license and a microbrewer license at the same time.

“It’s pretty huge for us,” said Scott Newman-Bale, a partner at Short’s Brewing Co., who attended today’s hearing in support of the bills.

The microbrewery, which has a restaurant in Bellaire and a production operation in Elk Rapids in northern Michigan, is expected to produce about 24,000 barrels of beer this year and is anticipating production to reach 30,000 next year, he said.

Without a change to the law, Newman-Bale said, the company would be forced to halt production next year when it hits the cap.

“We need these bills to keep growing,” he said. “It’s really hard to plan for the future of the company when the law says that you can’t grow anymore. It’s kind of a silly law to have, and I think everyone agrees.”

There was no opposition to the bills at the hearing, he said.

Patrick Howe, liquor license and hospitality attorney at Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC, said the changes could make a large impact on the growing industry.

“The microbrewing industry is booming throughout the state,” Howe said. “The legislators recognize that and are making laws to promote that growth.”

Chris Gautz: 1-517-403-4403, [email protected]. Twitter: @chrisgautz

Nathan Skid contributed to this report.