Virginia Craft Brewers Guild

VCBG History & Advocacy

The Fight for Craft Beer

How VCBG Advocacy IS Shaping Virginia’s Craft Beer Industry

2010
  • Virginia Craft Brewers Guild (VCBG) is founded by a group of Virginia’s earliest craft beer pioneers to unite and advocate for independent breweries in the Commonwealth.
2011
  • Virginia ABC approves breweries advertising on VDOT road signs and directional tourist signs.
2012
  • SB604 allows breweries to sell beer for on-site consumption without food requirements—unlocking the modern taproom model.
  • HB359 establishes Alternating Proprietorship uses for craft breweries.
  • August is officially designated as Virginia Craft Beer Month.
  • The first Craft Beer Reception at the Governor’s Mansion is held.
2013
  • Virginia Tourism Corporation incorporates the craft beer industry into the State Tourism Plan and launches the Virginia is for Craft Beer Lovers® brand.
2014
  • SB430 establishes the farm brewery by creating a new limited brewery license for those on agriculturally zoned land.
  • SB596 reduces licensing costs for small breweries.
  • A craft beer “kegerator” is installed at the Governor’s Mansion.
2015
  • Virginia’s 100th craft brewery opens.
  • VCBG launches the Virginia Craft Beer Cup.
  • Virginia Department of Health (VDH) & Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (VDACS) define when “food preparation activities” at breweries do NOT require a Food Establishment Permit.
2016
  • HB859/SB588 exempts brewing equipment from sales tax—recognizing breweries as manufacturers.
  • HB879 expands farm brewery rights for onsite sales and events, boosting agritourism.
  • HB706 extends existing wine corkage privileges to include beer, allowing restaurants to charge corkage fee on beer brought in by customers for on-site consumption.
  • VA ABC issues Circular Letter 16-02 clarifying when a brewery can be used for homebrewer club or other competitions.
2017
  • HB 2418 doubles the number of VA ABC manufacturer’s beer event licenses from 4 to 8 annually.
2018
  • HB422/SB306 sets a 20% on-premise beer production requirement for beer consumed on-premise – VCBG defeated proposal to require 50%+ on-premise production, limit on expansion breweries, and a 3-barrel minimum system to obtain an VA ABC brewery license.
  • VA ABC defines “crowler” packaging and on-premise consumption rules.
2019
  • HB2073/SB1726 expands breweries’ ability to advertise “happy hour” specials and pricing, including billboard advertising.
  • VA ABC convenes a multi-year Licensing Reform Study Group to comprehensively modernize alcohol licensing, fees, and regulatory processes—the largest regulatory undertaking in VCBG history.
2020
  • Executive Orders 53 & 61 and Executive Directive 10 kept every brewery open through COVID, including indoor and outdoor service, and delayed VA ABC license fee collections by 90 days.
  • HB390/SB389 modernizes VA ABC licensing—consolidating license types by more than 50%, incorporating delivery and keg privileges into the brewery license, reducing fees for small breweries (under 500 bbl), lowering keg sticker costs, and maintaining existing fees (no increase) for manufacturer’s beer event licenses.
  • VA ABC waives delivery permit fees and authorized curbside pickup and expanded container options, enabling breweries to maintain sales during the pandemic.
  • VCBG launches a comprehensive COVID-19 Resource Center—including the Back to Work Plan, Craft Brewery Pledge, and VA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard Certification Program—to help breweries navigate rapidly changing requirements and remain open safely.
  • VCBG launches the Virginia Hand Sanitizer Consortium, enabling breweries to pivot operations during COVID-19 to produce and distribute hand sanitizer statewide—an effort endorsed by Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull.
2021
  • HB1973/SB1428 permanently authorizes to-go and delivery sales, preserving a key pandemic-era revenue stream for breweries.
  • HB1738 permits the consumption of alcoholic beverages within “outdoor refreshment areas,” designated by permit or ordinance.
  • VCBG expands the COVID Resource Center, Craft Brewery Pledge, and VA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard Certification Program.
  • VA ABC issues guidance clarifying employee discount policies and restrictions related to firearms on brewery property.
2022
  • HB426/SB254 authorizes third-party delivery services (Uber Eats, DoorDash, etc) to deliver beer purchased by brewery retail operations directly to consumers—expanding access to delivery and off-premise sales.
  • HB837 converts VDACS’s annual brewery inspection reports into a permit with an appeals process, improving transparency and due process for regulatory oversight.
  • HB1336 establishes a 1-year stakeholder working group to develop recommendations for establishing an independent “Virginia Beer Distribution Company,” opening new pathways for limited self-distribution.
  • SB400 creates a 1-year VDHCD technical advisory committee to develop regulations for agritourism event buildings, supporting future flexibility for farm breweries.
2023
  • HB2258 (Beer Industry Limited Distribution Act – BILD) establishes the Virginia Beer Distribution Company (VBDC), creating a new pathway for independent breweries to self-distribute, and a $900K operating budget.
  • VA ABC retailer “slotting fee” working group – curbs illegal pay-to-play arrangements and promotes fair market access for breweries.
2024
  • Virginia Beer Distribution Company (VBDC) officially launches—a milestone victory expanding market access for independent craft breweries. VCBG nominates board candidates and assists with bylaws, policies, organizational development, and business planning.
  • SB182/HB522 authorizes VA ABC to modernize outdated advertising regulations, enabling breweries to use digital marketing tools and help consumers locate their products—bringing Virginia in line with the majority of other states.
  • VCBG launches the Virginia Craft Beer Summit & Gala.
2025
  • VCBG launches the Virginia Craft Beer Seminar Series—partnering with VA ABC, VDACS, and VBDC.
  • VBDC completed its first retail sale—establishes a 500 bbl self-distribution channel.
  • VCBG publishes the Virginia Guide to Beer Distribution, providing comprehensive guidance on navigating Virginia’s regulatory and distribution system.
  • VCBG launches the “Pintriot” Program in partnership with VA250 Commission.
  • VDH & VDACS update agreement defining when “food preparation activities” at breweries NOT require a Food Establishment Permit.
  • HB1655 continues “tied-house” employment restriction reform efforts.
  • HB1981 (“Change for Change” Act) continues charitable donations advertising reform efforts.
  • VA ABC approves “round up” charitable donations advertising option.
2026
  • SB788 reforms excise tax penalties for late payments.
  • HB975 reforms food-to-beverage sales ratio requirements for brewpubs with mixed-beverage licenses.
  • VA ABC Licensing (VAL) system is launched, enabling electronic check payments, streamlined compliance management, and access to training resources.
  • VCBG joins the Brewers Association’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Working Group.
  • SJ38 continues local BPOL and Food & Beverage Tax clarification efforts with the VA Attorney General & Virginia Department of Taxation.