Another landmark bill supporting Virginia’s growing craft beer industry has passed both houses of the General Assembly.  Shepparded by Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery’s Sean-Thomas and Lisa Pumphrey, SB 430 only awaits Governor Terry McAuliffe’s signature before it can become law.  I would not be surprised to see a “SB 430” beer from Lickinghole Creek in the future similar to Hardywood’s creation of SB 604.

Here is the full press release from the VA Craft Brewers Guild.

Bill Allowing Brewery on a Farm License Passes

RICHMOND, VA – Senate Bill 430, a bill which legally defines breweries located on a farm, passed both houses of the Virginia General Assembly and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. The Virginia Craft Brewers Guild, an affiliate of the Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA), has led the business coalition supporting this bill, which will grant breweries located on a farm similar privileges as farm wineries. The farm breweries are required to grow and use their agricultural product, such as hops or barley, in its beer.

Senator John Watkins led the bill through the Virginia Senate, where it passed 35-3. The House of Delegates passed SB430 unanimously Monday, 97-0.

“The craft beer industry is a growing part of Virginia’s economy, ” said Lisa Pumphrey of Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery. “Senator Watkins recognized that farm breweries offer an avenue for small business generation in rural areas. The bill will allow new breweries to flourish and contribute to Virginia’s tourism industry.”

SB 430 builds on the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild’s record of legislative success. The Guild also successfully pressed for legislation enabling breweries to sell beer for consumption in their tasting rooms. SB 604, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law in 2012, changed a provision limiting on-premise consumption. Since the law was changed, the craft beer industry in Virginia has seen 75% growth in the number of breweries, supporting 8,123 FTE jobs and granting the Commonwealth an economic impact of $623 million.

About Virginia Craft Brewers Guild
The Virginia Craft Brewers Guild is a coalition of independent, small, commercial breweries dedicated to growing the craft beer industry in the Commonwealth. Virginia’s craft beer industry supports 8,163 FTE jobs, and has an economic impact of $623 million. Virginia Craft Brewers Guild is an affiliate of the Virginia Manufacturers Association. The purpose of the Guild is to organize craft brewers for purposes of economic development, business development, supply chain management, tourism and government affairs. For more information on the Guild, go tohttp://www.virginiacraftbrewers.org.