Bill > H179

This bill expands the ability of farmer breweries, which are licensed to produce beer and often operate on farms, to sell their products. It amends existing laws, specifically chapter 138 of the General Laws, to allow farmer breweries to obtain special licenses to sell beer produced by them at indoor or outdoor agricultural events, such as farmers' markets or agricultural fairs, for consumption off-site. These sales must be conducted by authorized representatives to individuals over 21 years old, and limited samples of beer can be provided free of charge, with strict limits on quantity and consumption. The Department of Agricultural Resources will certify events as "agricultural events" based on specific criteria, and applicants must provide a plan demonstrating the event's agricultural nature. The bill also establishes an advisory committee to study and define what constitutes a farmer-brewery, aiming to promote local farms and the use of locally grown ingredients in beer production, and requires this committee to report its findings and recommendations by December 31, 2015.