Our politicians in Tallahassee have been bought and paid for by the big lobby of ABInBev and craft beer is being shit upon as SB 1714 passes committee and heads for a full senate vote.
Silly made up standards, political jerking off and a lack of listening to people over cash leads Florida Senate Rules Committee to pass evolving ugly bill in 9-4 vote…
Bought and paid for by ABInBev (Budweiser) and its Florida distributors, the bill moves forward in attempt to fuck Florida craft brewers…
Read up my fellow citizens and remember to boycott Florida Bud Distributors products!!! Maybe then, they’ll really see how the people feel.
by Mike Zimmer, Tocabega Red Please
So, despite furor, deliberation and common sense, SB 1714 passes the rules committee yesterday in the Florida Senate with a 9-4 vote in favor. Not surprisingly our trusted politicians barely listened, made rather uninformed knee jerk and “made up” assertions and ignored common sense by moving on with the bill while also saying that more amendments will more than likely be thrown in on this thing. Basically, they ignored anything but the money that was thrown at them by ABInBev and its Florida Budweiser Distributors.
Link to story on bill passing: http://www.news-press.com/story/news/2014/04/21/craft-brewers-oppose-senate-beer-bill/7983737/?sf25297746=1
It’s a disappointing set back for craft breweries in the state and craft beer enthusiasts. While being a job killer, an industry killer and a fleecing of small business for the sake of bowing down to the King of Beers it amazingly passed muster with little trouble. Again, hard to believe when Senate Committee President Dan Gaetz and proponents of this bill are firmly in the pocket of Florida Budweiser distributors and the lobby that gets things done with their deep pockets.
There was one “concession” yesterday and some arbitrary numbers thrown out there to make it seem like they really cared about the little guy. The Growler looks like it might manage to stay in the conversation as will tasting rooms and grandfathered current brewers for their existing model. With the caveat that said brewer produces less than 2,000-kegs a year (which is a made up number by legislature Kelli Stargil) which is incredibly small considering Anheuser-Busch produces some 80-million a year. Yet, that’s supposed to be a level playing field. Cigar City in Tampa which makes fine premium brews produces some 10,000-a year and would be forced to pay Bud penance just for the right to exist.
Further details on this whole bill is documented brilliantly by The Liberty First Network and their assessment of SB1714. Read up my fellow beer nuts, it’s interesting and they point out one simple fact at the heart of their report: Follow the money. Want to know the brass tacks of things, hit this link: http://www.scribd.com/doc/219566361/SB-1714-Legislative-Analysis
So what does this all mean? Well, SB 1714 moves to a full senate vote. And again, if you read the Liberty First report you’ll see that the picture looks grim with so many politicians on the Budweiser tap (or money tit). The bill is sure to undergo some manipulating and changes which typically are never good and amended (also not good) a few times before it’s likely passage. It’s damaging to craft breweries and consumers of their fine products all in the name of making ABInBev and your Florida Budweiser distributors richer for their share holders.
The bottom line is this: to make them feel the pinch back, boycott their brands and products. Drink locally, and drink craft. It’s the very least we all can do.
To find out products to boycott (and there are many) please look up your local Florida Budweiser Distributors products. This includes many craft beer segments that they have rather casually supported as filler and buffers against anyone who would dare encroach on their turf. They include Southern Tier, Goose Island, Red Hook, Gordon Biersch, Blue Point and others. You can find them here: http://www.abwholesaler.com/scripts/Map.aspx
Make sure to let them know you are boycotting them too. Send them and your elected officials a message.
