Peters Cosponsors Bill to Support Michigan’s Small Breweries

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced he is cosponsoring the Small BREW Act, bipartisan legislation that supports small breweries by reducing the tax rate per barrel of beer from breweries that produce less than six million barrels of beer annually.

“Michigan is home to some of the finest beers and breweries in America, and our brewing industry is emerging as a key sector of our state’s economy, supporting thousands of good-paying jobs in Michigan,” said Senator Peters. “I’m proud to support this bipartisan legislation that will help small breweries in Michigan and across the country sell their products and grow their businesses.”

Michigan has the fifth highest number of breweries in the country, with over 150 microbreweries across the state, up from only three in 1991. Over 7,000 jobs are supported by the Michigan beer industry, resulting in over $232 million in wages and a total economic impact of over $608 million in 2014.

“This legislation will help Michigan’s small breweries continue to invest in their companies, grow their businesses and reach new customers. I want to thank Senator Peters for his work to support our small craft brewers and this growing industry in our state,” said Scott Newman-Bale, Partner at Short’s Brewing Company in Bellaire, Michigan.

The Small BREW Act supports small breweries by dropping the tax rate per barrel from $7.00 to $3.50 for the first 60,000 barrels a brewery produces. It would then save small breweries an additional $2.00 on every barrel until they hit 2 million barrels. Senator Peters previously supported this legislation as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

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