‘Connecticut Craft Beer’ passes House

Rep. Richard Smith, R-New Fairfield, on Wednesday supported legislation that would allow farmers to brew and sell up to 75,000 gallons of beer annually. Rep. Richard Smith, R-New Fairfield, on Wednesday supported legislation that would allow farmers to brew and sell up to 75,000 gallons of beer annually. Photo: Scott Mullin / For The Photo: Scott Mullin / For The Image 1 of / 87 Caption Close ‘Connecticut Craft Beer’ passes House 1 / 87 Back to Gallery

HARTFORD — With little debate, an apparently thirsty House of Representatives on Wednesday approved legislation that would allow farmers to brew and sell beer similar to the way that some now make and market their own wine.

Passed 146-0, the bill, which heads to the Senate, would allow brewers to claim their products as “Connecticut Craft Beer” if at least 25 percent of their brews’ ingredients was grown in the state.

The House took less than four minutes to debate the legislation. It would allow farm brewers to make up to 75,000 gallons per year. Brewers would be able to sell individual consumers up to 7 liters each at farmer’s markets.

Rep. Richard A. Smith, R-New Fairfield, ranking member of the legislative General Law Committee, which recommended the bill, recalled the state’s long agricultural history, then quipped: “This is a good beer and I urge my colleagues to support it.”

kdixon@ctpost.com; Twitter: @KenDixonCT