Lets force Massachusetts craft brewers out of business, k?

[okra]

The Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission seems to be on a mission...

"The ABCC's advisory -- which followed its decision last week to deny an application for a farmer-brewery license from a new beer maker called Idle Hands Craft Ales -- says a business can get a farmer-brewery license only if at least 50 percent of its beer-making ingredients are grown in Massachusetts. That would pretty much disqualify every brewery in the state."

One of the first victims:

http://digboston.com/taste/2011/08/idle-hands-craft-ales-denied-farmer-brewer-license/

More information:
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/edi...

[HokieAnnie]

Hmmm, would the makers of Samuel Adam's have anything to do with this?

[jjbourgeois]

Samuel Adam's would be affected also. Typical behavior for the Mass legislature. Was talking to a wine distributor that was working with a maker of limoncello. The guy had to move his limoncello business to New Hampshire because of the cost. In Massachusetts it was $12000 for a distillery license, in New Hampshire, $400.

[LindaWhit]

As jjbourgeois said, all beer brewers are affected, including Sam's. There was a long story on this on WCVB last week, I believe.

BUT...it looks like the alcohol board is reversing the decision:

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/money...