Beer Institute Statement on Vermont Bill H.730

“Liquor-based RTDs belong in liquor stores – not on grocery shelves with Vermont brewers,” said Beer Institute Director of Public Affairs Alex Davidson. “While Vermont legislators recognized that liquor is different from beer, H.730 was a massive handout to the liquor industry at the expense of Vermont taxpayers and brewers. Relinquishing distribution rights and moving liquor-based RTDs out of Vermont’s state-run 802 liquor stores will drastically reduce state revenue and undermine the responsible drinking message that the beer industry has long supported. Vermont has a thriving local beer industry that was hit hard by the pandemic, and as local brewers recover, legislation like this puts the local industry at a disadvantage by giving a tax cut to out-of-state liquor companies.”

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