• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • About Craft Brewing Business

Craft Brewing Business

Professional Insight, Unfiltered

Craft Brewing Business Craft Brewing Business
  • News
  • Business & Marketing
  • Packaging & Distribution
  • Equipment & Systems
  • Ingredients & Supplies
  • Webinars & White Papers
  • News
  • Business & Marketing
  • Ingredients & Supplies
  • Packaging & Distribution
  • Equipment
  • Webinars & White Papers
  • COVID-19

Tenn. beer tax rally heads to Knoxville

February 11, 2013Jason Morgan

There has been a ton of support to improve the Tennessee tax law for craft brewers. Last week, supporters gathered in Memphis. This week, they’re headed to Knoxville, Tenn. The statewide campaign to reform 1950s era beer tax policy that is the root cause of Tennessee’s dubious rank as the nation’s highest beer tax state will conduct a Knoxville rally at Old City’s Barley’s Tap Room & Pizzeria, Feb. 15, at 5 p.m. Participants will include legislative sponsor Cameron Sexton, Memphis-area beer distributors, brewers and hundreds of beer enthusiasts.

Beer_Tax_Rally_Memphis
Fix the Beer Tax campaign supporters rallied at Midtown’s Young Avenue Deli in Memphis last week. The campaign is hoping for continued support in Knoxville. If you’re local, stop out to have a beer and support the cause.

The Beer Tax Reform Act of 2013, filed Jan. 29 by Rep. Sexton (R-Crossville) and Sen. Kelsey (R-Germantown), proposes to modernize Tennessee beer tax with a simple modification: It would calculate wholesale tax on volume rather than price and solve Tennessee’s odd (and nationally unparalleled) tax policy that currently results in the beer tax rate rising exponentially higher every year.

Here’s how much higher it rises: In 2008, Tennessee caught and passed Alaska as the top state taxer of beer. By 2012, Tennessee had increased that lead by 12 points, and if the state keeps rising at the current average annual price increase of $1.15, in five years the average tax rate will be $42.75 per barrel – 29 percent higher than Alaska; in 10 years it will be $48.50 – 46 percent higher; in 15 years, it will be $54.25 per barrel – 64 percent higher.

The statewide Fix the Beer Tax campaign began last week in Nashville with an event that attracted more than 400 Tennesseans and resulted in an explosion of statewide social media in support of legislative reform. This week the campaign will be visible in dozens of Memphis area restaurants and craft brewery establishments, inviting consumers though social media to voice support and contact legislators. The campaign is on the Web at www.fixthebeertax.com; on Facebook at www.facebook/fixthebeertax; and on Twitter at @fixthebeertax.

“Tennessee is beyond the tipping point,” said Rich Foge, president of Tennessee Malt Beverage Association. “The current tax policy allows the tax rate to rise unchecked at such a dramatic rise that it is now impacting competitiveness, economic opportunity and costs and choice for consumers. The tax rate is out of control – it’s time to modernize this old tax and make it right.”

The details

What: A rally in support of the Beer Tax Reform Act of 2013

Where: Barley’s Tap Room & Pizzeria – 200 E. Jackson Ave., Knoxville, Tennessee 37915

When: Friday, Feb. 15, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Who: Sen. Brian Kelsey (R-Germantown); Tennessee Malt Beverage Association; Tennessee Craft Brewers Guild; National brewers and importers; and hundreds of consumers.

Knoxville Ale Trail
Knoxville, Tenn., creates an ale trail, fit for craft beer pioneering
Brewing Science at South College
Knoxville’s South College launches brewing school
Beer Tax Reform Tennessee Passed
Beer Tax Reform Act passed by Tennessee General Assembly
Tennessee Beer Tax legislature
Tennessee beer tax reform rolls though legislature

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Latest News

  • Blue Moon plans limited run under its original name, Bellyslide Wit, coinciding with baseball season
  • Craft sales continue to struggle in 2023, NBWA March Beer Purchasers’ Index confirms
  • Sockeye Brewing’s new Alehouse has one of Boise’s largest outdoor patios + a 9-hole putting course
  • Distribution update: pFriem Family Brewers goes to LA + news from Wiseacre, Anderson Valley, FÜL and more

Sign up for our newsletter

unsubscribe from list

Most Popular Today

Recent Features

  • Craft sales continue to struggle in 2023, NBWA March Beer Purchasers’ Index confirms
    March 30, 2023
  • Distribution update: pFriem Family Brewers goes to LA + news from Wiseacre, Anderson Valley, FÜL and more
    March 29, 2023
  • Watch how White Labs’ WLP077 Tropicale yeast intensifies fruity flavors in hop compounds
    March 29, 2023
  • Boston’s Dorchester Brewing and Yakima Chief Hops team up to offer contract breweries discounts on hops
    March 28, 2023
  • 10 craft beer variety packs that have us excited to try new beer
    March 27, 2023
  • Take a look at Jack’s Abby’s renovated Beer Hall and its sweet new Tradition Meets Tech pilot system
    March 27, 2023

Footer

  • Email Newsletter Sign Up
  • About Craft Brewing Business
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise on Craft Brewing Business
  • Media Kit Download
  • Privacy and Terms

© 2023 · CBB Media LLC