Larson's bill includes other changes that were requested by the Liquor Commission, but executive director Hobert Rupe said the commission has "concerns" with the parts related to craft breweries.

"It's not that well of a drafted bill," Rupe said.

The Associated Beverage Distributors of Nebraska, which represents the state's distributors, supports the measure.

“The effort here is not to penalize or restrict the growth of Nebraska’s craft brewery industry, but rather to create a level playing field for all industry members," the group said in an emailed statement.

"I think the playing field's plenty even," said Schmick.

He said craft beer makes up just 2.5 percent of the market in Nebraska, with the rest coming from bigger brewers. Big producers don't need protection, he said, and applying their rules to in-state startups would stifle small business.

Owners of Lincoln-based brewers Empyrean and Zipline both said the proposed limits on taprooms might hinder their expansion plans.

For Empyrean, the bill could dash its hopes of converting Lincoln's former Meadow Gold plant in the south Haymarket into a new brewing facility, replacing the one at Seventh and Q streets.