Colorado bill could open up craft beer sales, limit big breweries

Colorado is one of the biggest craft beer markets in the country. It has new craft breweries popping up left and right. As the local market continues to grow, a legal battle over who gets to sell full-strength craft beer continues to rage on among Colorado lawmakers. According to Denver’s Westword News, Representative Kevin Priola thinks he has a middle ground solution that will make everyone happy.

Currently, the state’s grocery and convenience stores are only allowed to sell beer that is 4 percent alcohol by volume (ABV). Only craft beer specialty stores can sell the popular Colorado brews the state has come to be recognized for. While larger retailers want a piece of the craft beer action, smaller stores worry that would hurt their businesses.

Westword reported that, while the bill is still being written, it would give grocery and convenience stores the ability to sell beer made by any brewer that annually produces less than 6 million barrels, which would limit sales to craft beers and freeze out the big guys, Coors, Miller and Budweiser. The bill would also limit the beers to less than 10 percent ABV.

A progressive piece of legislation no doubt, but there still may be some opponents. The legislation is slated to be introduced in late January, early February.