Wisconsin: Open for Businesses Big, But not Small

http://positivebusiness.co/news/stop-millercoors-tapping-out-local-breweries


Taking away Wisconsin's small and medium sized breweries is like removing small farmers from this great state.

In one word - STUPID. So why is Walker letting Miller/Coors write legislation into the state budget that would tap out our delicious micro brews? The answer, and the reason why he's attacking almost every type of small and local business, is that large corporations gave mega campaign contributions.

According to the Wisconsin Brewers Guild, Wisconsin Beer brings 588,000 visitors annually, and invests millions in jobs and local communities. Local breweries purchase local grain from Wisconsin farmers, and raw materials such as; boxes, labels, cans, and glass from Wisconsin companies.

Here are the changes to Chapter 125; “Branch Legislation” Miller/Coors wants that completely overhaul the business model for a small brewer of today, and deeply restricts the ability to operate competitively in the State of Wisconsin: ·

All Wisconsin Breweries and Brewpubs will be negatively affected by losing their Wholesale and retail licenses and the benefits those licenses provide. ·

Eliminates the current option of a brewer choosing to self distribute or starting a Wholesale distribution company. ·

Eliminates a Brewers current right to have ownership in two restaurants. ·

Protects (Grandfather Clause) currents Wholesalers retail licenses, while eliminating that benefit for new start up Wholesalers. ·

Unfairly burdens new Wholesalers and breweries with a requirement of 25 separate independent retail customers before a Wholesale license can be granted. ·

Eliminates the ability of Brewers to sell existing retail or wholesale operations separately from the brewing operation.

Eliminates current Wholesale investment in privately held Wisconsin Breweries while allowing investment in out of state and foreign and publicly traded breweries.


The WPBA is working with local breweries to make sure Wisconsin leads the nation in micro brewing for years to come.