The Virginia Craft Brewers Guild was founded to advance legislative and regulatory reforms necessary for the growth of independent craft brewing in the Commonwealth. As the craft beer market continues to evolve, breweries face increasing pressures from consolidation, “crafty” brand confusion, competition from other alcohol categories, and distribution and retail challenges.
Accordingly, the VCBG’s top priorities are:
- Defend Virginia’s “Hybrid Self-Distribution” Laws & Brewery Operational Rights
- Independent craft beer tasting room retail sales privileges – no retail sales limits (On or Off-Premise) and no regulated hours of operation
- Expansion breweries – no limits on the number of breweries with retail tasting rooms
- Brewery In-State and Out-of-State Delivery Permits
- “Brewpub” exemption from “3 Tier System”
- Eight (8) Manufacturer’s Beer Event Licenses per year
- “Arms-length” independent craft beer distributors
- Alternating proprietorships
- Defend current unlimited brewery-to-brewery transfer privileges
- Defend current unlimited contract brewing privileges
- Emsure a Fair, Competitiveness and Functional Distribution System
- Support and optimize the performance of the Virginia Beer Distribution Company (VBDC) as a shared services distribution platform for independent breweries
- ABC to regulate voluntary waivers of VA Beer Franchise Act terms in temporary distribution agreement
- Expedite distribution agreement termination process, including reforming ABC uniform prehearing scheduling orders involving VA Beer Franchise Act dispute
- Expand the number of small independent craft beer distributors in operation
- Improve brewery-to-distributor communications and sales planning, and assure that any beer sold by a brewery is delivered by its distributor
- Protect Craft Beer Market Competitiveness and Industry Growth
- Maintain ABC Regulatory Balance
- Oppose “Pay-to-Play” Trade Spending
- No beer excise tax increases
- Expand craft beer tourism and market growth, particularly through the VCBG marketing and tourism programs and Virginia Tourism Corporation programs
- Expand authentic independent craft beer branding with consumers through the BA’s “Independent” label, and VCBG’s distributor, retailer, farm brewery, and craft beer fest programs
- Increase retail tier recognition of independent Virginia craft breweries and promotion of the Virginia Craft Beer Cup and national award-winning beers
- Improve the workforce development system to create a diverse and industry certified talent pool for breweries. Specifically, improve lab, brewing, quality and safety industry credentials earned by brewery staff
- Create regional quality networks for brewers to share best practices
- Ensure the economic growth of independent craft beer and move Virginia’s ranking into the “Top 10 U.S. States for Breweries Per Capita”
The VCBG is an advocate for the craft beer community, and its success is a result of the commitment of its members. Learn more about our Priorities by reading our Legislative Reports.