Craft beer self-distribution refresher: Does your state make the list?

Will this be you? Check the list and find out.

As beneficial as a distributor relationship can be, for the small, local craft brewer just getting off the ground, self-distribution is the optimal route to take.

But what will your state allow? That’s the $1 million question – or rather the 60,000 barrel (bbl) question – as many states divide up self-distribution privileges by production size. These distinctions are often the same as the state’s definition for “craft brewery,” but even those parameters are sub-divided into smaller amounts allowed for self-distribution.

For a refresher, here is the list of states that have evolved since Prohibition and allow for some self-distribution from small producers. Thanks to the Brewers Association for the complete 50 state round-up

YES to SELF

• Alaska (unlimited)
• Arkansas (brewers producing up to 60,000 bblsannually)
• Arizona (up to 3,000 bbl under 20,000 bbl production cap; unlimited to same-ownership outlets)
• California (No restrictions on production size or on-premise [brewpubs])
• Colorado (up to 300,000 gallons per calendar year.)
• Connecticut
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois (A craft brewer licensee, set at less than 465,000 gallons of beer annually, may self-distribute up to 232,500 gallons per year.)
• Indiana (only brewers producing up to 30,000 bbls annually)
• Iowa
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota (only brewers producing up to 25,000 bbls annually)
• Montana (a brewer producing up to 60,000 bbls of beer annually).
• New Hampshire (brewers producing less than 15,000 bbls can sell up to 5,000 bbls. For brewpubs it is 2,500 bbls).
• New Jersey (brewers producing up to 300,000 bbls annually)
• New Mexico
• New York (distributors permit allows for self distribution up to a capacity of 60,000 bbl. annually. For a brew pub the distribution limit is 3,000 bbl. per year.
• North Carolina (a brewery producing less than 25,000 bbls)
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon (Brewery licensees can self distribute with no volume restriction. Brewpubs can self distribute if their production is less than 1,000 bbls.)
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• License to self-distribute: Yes(?)
• Tennessee
• Texas (Brewers producing less than 75,000 bbls of beer per year.)
• Utah (less than 60,000 bbls)
• Virginia (a brewery can form a separate distribution company as a distinct legal entity)
• Vermont
• Washington (less than 60,000 bbls)
• Wisconsin
• West Virginia
• Wyoming