Maryland’s Small and Independent Craft Brewers Face Inceased Taxes if Rate Expires on Dec. 31
Jim Bauckman, Director of Communications
Annapolis, MD • Dec. 5, 2019 – In less than 30 days, the recalibrated Federal Excise Tax (FET) rate for more than 100 small and independent breweries in Maryland will expire. These small businesses are asking Congress to prioritize and pass the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act or extend the current excise tax rates before Dec. 31. Since its enaction at the end of 2017, the reduced FET has enabled small and independent brewers across our state to re-invest in their business, hire new employees and grow their breweries.
“The Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act has been crucial to the success of small and independent brewers in Maryland and needs our full support,” said Kevin Atticks, Executive Director of the Brewers Association of Maryland. “The craft beer industry has experienced sustained growth in Maryland and across the country and the current FET rate has gone a long way to empower our brewers to make significant investments into their businesses, adding hundreds of jobs and contributing more than $800 million to Maryland’s economy. Breweries operate in every state and nearly every congressional district in the country and if the current rate is allowed to expire, the tax increase may have a chilling effect on job creation. America’s beer industry is one of the jewels of America’s manufacturing sector—supporting more than 2.1 million jobs – 559,545 of which come from the craft industry.”
The Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act is uniquely bipartisan legislation, with support from more than half of the U.S. Congress. Recalibrated FET rates have saved the American craft brewing industry nearly $80 million annually and helped provided certainty and stability for more than 7,500 breweries across the country. If the legislation is not acted upon, not only will American and Maryland brewers alike face a massive financial burden, but more than 2,000 new brewers who have only been in operation since Jan. 1, 2018 and who have never before paid the tax, will see a 100 percent tax increase.
About the Brewers Association of Maryland
The Brewers Association of Maryland (BAM), founded in 1996, is the non-profit trade association of Maryland brewing companies. The mission of BAM is to grow, promote and protect the Maryland craft beer industry. Information about the Brewers Association of Maryland can be found at marylandbeer.org. Keep up to date with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About the Brewers Association
The Brewers Association (BA) is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The BA represents 4,800-plus U.S. breweries. The BA’s independent craft brewer seal is a widely adopted symbol that differentiates beers by small and independent craft brewers. The BA organizes events including the World Beer Cup®, Great American Beer Festival®, Craft Brewers Conference® & BrewExpo America®, SAVOR™: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience, Homebrew ConTM, National Homebrew Competition and American Craft Beer Week®. The BA publishes The New Brewer® magazine, and Brewers Publications® is the leading publisher of brewing literature in the U.S. Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com® and about homebrewing via the BA’s American Homebrewers Association® and the free Brew Guru® mobile app. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Brewers Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital/familial status. The BA complies with provisions of Executive Order 11246 and the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor.
MEDIA ADVISORY FOR
Saturday, November 2, 2019
For more information please contact:
Jim Bauckman, (410) 252-9463 x 107
Largest All-Maryland Craft Beer Festival Returns to Canton Waterfront Park
The Brewers Association of Maryland will host this year’s Baltimore Craft Beer Festival at the Canton Waterfront Park on Saturday, November 2, 2019. Featuring 64 Maryland breweries, local live music on the DelFest Stage, the GTI Game Zone, and dozens of eateries and vendors, the Baltimore Craft Beer Festival is the largest all-Maryland craft beer event in Baltimore.
The first session of the event, open exclusively to Enthusiast Passholders, starts at 12:00 pm. This early entry session grants attendees with upgraded passes the opportunity to enjoy limited-release and seasonal beer. The general Tasting Pass session opens to attendees at 1:30 pm and runs through 5:00 pm. All attendees may sample from hundreds of Maryland-brewed beers and each will receive a souvenir tasting glass.
WHO: Brewers Association of Maryland Members, invited guests, and media
WHAT: 2019 Baltimore Craft Beer Festival
WHERE: Canton Waterfront Park, 3001 Boston Street, Baltimore, MD 21224
WHEN: Saturday, November 2, 2019, 12:00PM (limited session), 1:30PM-5:00PM
RSVP: For Media Passes, Please RSVP to jim@growandfrtify.com
This kickoff event is an opportunity for craft beer enthusiasts, and invited guests to celebrate FeBREWary and the excellent beer brewed in Maryland.
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About The Brewers Association of Maryland
The Brewers Association of Maryland (BAM), formed in 1996, is the non-profit trade association of Maryland brewing companies. The mission of BAM is to grow, promote and protect the Maryland craft beer industry.
Baltimore Beer Week
Farewell Baltimore Beer Week
Release Date: 9/15/2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bon Voyage, Adios, Sayonara… with bittersweet sentiment we announce today that there will not be an “official” Baltimore Beer Week in 2019…
Over the past 10 years we have been working with dedicated businesses and organizations to bring Baltimore Beer Week to life with hundreds of beer-centric events that focus on beer culture, culinary aspects, meet and greets, homebrew demos and beer history every October. All in the name of seeking to increase people’s awareness of all things beer in the famed “Land of Pleasant Living.”
So much has changed in the past 10 years – in 2009 when we started there were less than 25 breweries in Maryland (there are currently 75+ breweries operating in the state – with more in the planning stages). Nationally there were 1,653 breweries operating across the country in 2009… there are currently 7,500+ breweries pumping out liquid in 2019!
We, the dedicated volunteers who have organized Baltimore Beer Week year after year, feel we have far exceeded our wildest dreams of reaching and honestly surpassing the mission we set out to achieve – Beer culture and awareness in Baltimore has never been more wide-reaching or pervasive! It seems it’s beer week every week nowadays!
We can’t tell you how proud we are of just how much has been accomplished over these past 10 years – Thank you to everyone who supported our unwavering efforts along the way! We truly hope that the support for beer culture continues to thrive in Baltimore for years to come!
Feel free to reach out with questions or thoughts at any time…
Cheers, Joe Gold & Dominic Cantalupo
Joegold16@verizon.net
DominicCantalupo@gmail.com
Monument City Brewing and The Wine Source Collaborate for the Community
Baltimore, MD (August 13, 2019) – Craft beer and the community go hand-in -hand. Highlandtown based Monument City Brewing and The Wine Source in Hampden came together to collaborate on a beer that gives back to the community.
This week the pair will release a 6.5% hazy IPA called The Avenue, where a portion of the proceeds will benefit Hampden Family Center.
“This is the second year we collaborated with Monument City and we both felt strongly that this year’s release should give back to our community. Our goal is to make this an annual project. The beer style may change from year-to-year, but the community focus will remain.”
Jed Jenny, The Wine Source
This year’s release of The Avenue will debut in cans at The Wine Source on Friday, August 16th, with draft available throughout Baltimore the following week. The Avenue, brewed using pale malt, wheat and flaked oats, is a New England style IPA that has an abundance of Grüngeist, Hüll Melon, and Cashmere hops giving it notes of melon, passion fruit, and citrus.
“We love projects like this. Crafting delicious beer and fostering community through beer is a big part of why we started Monument City.”
Monument City co-founder, Ken Praay
About Monument City Brewing
Monument City Brewing Company was founded by brothers Ken and Matt Praay in 2014. Known for their flagship beer 51 Rye, Monument City is focused on making honest craft beer and helping foster community through beer. Monument opened its Highlandtown brewery and taproom in the spring of 2017.
About The Wine Source
The Wine Source is an independently owned and operated wine, beer, spirits, and specialty foods shop in the heart of Hampden. The Wine Source offers a full-service growler bar with a rotating selection of 18 different beers, a curated wine collection featuring the classic and the esoteric, and the best of the beverage world along with friendly advice. Proud to be a part of the Hampden community and to call Elm Avenue home!
About Hampden Family Center
The Family Center has served as a “hub” for community activities in Hampden for 24 years. They provide programs and support services for all who live, learn and work in the community. Here, children enjoy after-school and summer enrichment programs. Adults can participate in literacy classes to brush up on their math, reading and writing skills in preparation for the GED class and exam. Seniors from the community can enjoy monthly lunches with their peers. In addition, The Family Center offers emergency and benefit assistance programs.