A proposed Arizona bill could make it easier for craft brewers, distilleries and wineries to operate in the state.

House Bill 2337 would make several changes benefiting smaller breweries and other establishments, including allowing breweries, wineries, and distilleries grouped together to share one liquor license, according to the Arizona Republic.

Among the other changes, the bill would make including offering more liquor licenses for breweries and wineries and allowing more locations for distilleries to be operated under the same license. The bill also would call for more regulation for out-of-state purveyors when selling their products in Arizona.

Arizona's craft beer, wine, and distillery businesses have been booming, and state lawmakers have been trying to keep pace 

zona House Bill 2337 proposes numerous changes to state liquor laws.(Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

It could soon get more convenient for customers to belly up to the bar — or the brewery, winery and distillery — in Arizona.

House Bill 2337 proposes numerous changes to state liquor laws. Among them:

• Craft breweries, distilleries and/or farm wineries could share a liquor license. This would allow multiple producers to sell beer or wine inside the same building or share outdoor patio space without needing multiple licenses. 
• The state would make more series 7 beer and wine liquor licenses available; these can be used by breweries, bars, wineries and some restaurants to sell beer or wine to go. For example, this could allow more breweries to sell growlers. 
• Increased enforcement authority over out-of-state companies selling alcohol to residents of Arizona without an Arizona liquor license.
• Permits a craft distiller to deliver spirits to a licensed premises adjacent to the distiller or to a remote tasting room.
• Allows craft distillers to operate two remote tasting rooms and retail premises. Current law allows one.
• Gives producers access to more festival and special-event licenses each year. 

The Arizona House gave final approval to the bill on Thursday with a vote of 43-13. It now goes to Gov. Doug Ducey for consideration.

Arizona has licensed wineries since 1982, breweries since 1996 and distilleries since 2014. All three industries have exploded in recent years, with some local producers gaining national recognition.

Camila Alarcon, lobbyist for the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild, said the proposal to allow small breweries, distilleries and wineries to share space and a liquor license would bring new opportunities to customers.

"It's a great thing," she said. "It will allow them to have new types of spaces ... a communal space for local businesses."

Alarcon said the intent of the legislation is to modernize state statutes to reflect the needs of the industries and allow them to keep up with trends. Several spaces were created in the past couple of years to allow multiple businesses to share a location, from downtown Phoenix's DeSoto Central Market to Gilbert's Barnone at Agritopia. She said this is a common model for wineries in other states and countries.

Rod Keeling, who owns and operates Keeling Shaefer Vineyards outside Willcox, said some proposals in the bill could have significant benefits to the liquor industry and consumers.

The craft distillers wanted to have what I would call a cooperative tasting room," Keeling said.

It also would apply to wineries and craft brewers. California, Oregon, Washington and New York already allow cooperative tasting rooms. Keeling said it allows small wineries in particular a chance to share the cost of a tasting facility.

"Micro wineries are going to be able to have a sales opportunity, kind of like in France," he said. "Maybe a bunch of them that are too small or don't have enough money band together and go rent a space."

Keeling has a tasting room in a historic building in downtown Willcox. He said adding more cooperative tasting rooms could be a boon for wine-producing areas.

Read More at source: bvtnews