Open The Taps Call to Action - SB1386

Open The Taps, the beer consumer lobbying group, has issued an important call asking you to contact your Quokerwodger (a wooden toy that moves when a string is pulled, and, by extension a politician who does what lobbyists pay him to do) about SB1386:

SB 1386 Update

SB 1386, the bill that would allow consumers to buy directly from breweries for off-premise consumption, is currently delayed.

OTT members and friends:

As you may have seen on Twitter or Facebook, the planned-for-today Senate hearing for SB 1386 was postponed, and we need your help to get it back on track!

Just to recap: SB 1386 would allow consumers to purchase up to two cases of beer per month directly from breweries (think of special, limited releases or a six-pack after a tour, for example). You have consistently emphasized the importance of this as members of Open The Taps, and we strongly support this bill.

The postponement reportedly comes due to some distributors pressuring some members of the committee to make this issue into a big fight. As a result of these distributors' actions, the Business & Commerce Committee has decided to delay the initial hearing and discussion, most likely until next week.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please, contact your Senator immediately, via phone if possible, especially if they are a member of the B&C Committee (Listed below).

Senator Kevin Eltife (chair & author of this bill - SD 1): (512) 463-0101 / (903) 596-9122

Senator Brandon Creighton (vice-chair - SD 4): (512) 463-0104 / (409) 838-9861

Senator Rodney Ellis (SD 13): (512) 463-0113 / (713) 236-0306

Senator Don Huffines (SD 16): (512) 463-0116

Senator Charles Schwertner (SD 5): (512) 463-0105 / (512) 863-8456

Senator Kel Seliger (SD 31): (512) 463-0131 / (806) 374-8994

Senator Larry Taylor (SD 11): (512) 463-0111 / (281) 485-9800

Senator Kirk Watson (SD 14): (512) 463-0114

Senator John Whitmire (SD 15): (512) 463-0115 / (713) 864-8701

We need phone calls and we need them badly. Let's not let this bill get stalled because a few big distributors have more ears than the residents of Texas.

Contact Open The Taps

Open The Taps

15702 Brookvilla Dr

Houston, TX 77059

Bare Arms Brewing To Open in Waco

Bare Arms Brewing founder Keith Collier, announced that he has received his TABC permit to open his brewery/brew pub at 2515 LaSalle Avenue in Waco.

Bare Arms Brewing will offer an American lager, an India pale ale, a chocolate stout, and a tart Berliner Weisse-style beer flavored with cranberries and apples.

The brewery will have a tasting room, and will self-distribute to local retailers, including The Dancing Bear.

Tasting Room at PBC

Midnight Porter on tap!

Pedernales Brewing Company Spring Break Schedule

Pedernales Brewing Company will expand their tasting room hours Friday March 14th and Saturday March 15 from 1:00 to 6:00 PM. And from Monday March 16 to Saturday March 21 from 1 to 6 pm.

Beer is available by the pint for $4, and tour/tasting/glass is $10.

Alamo Beer Company Grand Opening - March 6

Grapevine Craft Brewery Raises Funds for Grapevine Charity

Grapevine Relief And Community Exchange (GRACE) a community service organization that runs a food pantry, transitional housing, and a community clinic. In mid Februray their donation center was robbed and set on fire. Grapevine Craft Brewery Founder Gary Humble went to GoFundMe and pledged to match donation of up to $2500. Within days, the GoFundMe page had collected almost $15,000, bringing the total money raised to almost $20,000. You can read all about it here.