Going about the BUSINESS of the Brewers Association

Have you wondered why the Brewers Association (BA) —the advocacy group for America's 'craft' breweries— has twice held its national beer-with-food exposition —SAVOR— in Washington, D.C.?

Maybe it's the proximity to where laws are passed and regulations promulgated.

Today, after the fun and excitement of the previous week's beer events, members of the Brewers Association will be going about an important part of the business of the organization: lobbying the House of Representatives Small Brewers Caucus. Here's how the BA puts it:

With the creation of the House Small Brewers Caucus in the United States House of Representatives, the small brewing community in America gained an extremely important forum in Washington, DC.

The Caucus was formed in 2007 by interested Members of Congress to gain a better understanding of all aspects of small brewing, from business and regulatory issues to the brewing process and history of the small brewing community. Co-chaired by Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon) and Dennis Rehberg (R-Montana), the purpose of the House Small Brewers Caucus is to provide elected officials and their staff an interactive opportunity to learn about the dynamics of running a small business as a brewery and the quality, process and value of craft beers and small brewing activities.

While small breweries share many of the same priorities and concerns that other small businesses have, brewing is a highly regulated business and has unique issues that most Americans are not aware of. The Small Brewers Caucus intends provide information about the science and art of beer and brewing as well as relevant business, regulatory and societal issues.

Some areas that the Small Brewers Caucus will cover:

* FLAVOR AND DIVERSITY: What makes beer different
o Beer as a food and beverage
o Brewing basics: ingredients, process, quality control, beer flavor and character

* SAVORING THE FLAVOR RESPONSIBLY
o Responsible presentation and enjoyment of beer
o Responsibility to the American community

* SELLING BEER
o Consumer access to choice and quality – access to the marketplace
--->Retail
--->Distribution
o Marketing and Advertising

* SMALL BREWERS AND REGULATION – Accounting for the differences: Large vs. Small
o Impact
o Safety
o Government and Agencies

No House member representing Virginia or Maryland (or the non-voting representative from the District of Columbia) is a member of the 45-member Caucus. Write your Congressman!