The Last Call: Governor of Maine Vetoes Beer Bill

Maine.970

Governor of Maine Vetoes ‘Fair Pint Bill’

The governor of Maine yesterday vetoed a bill passed by lawmakers that would have required businesses that advertise the sale of pints to serve the beer in a glass of at least 16 oz. Dubbed the Fair Pint Bill, supporters had contended consumers weren’t always getting what they were paying for, claiming many establishments serve advertised pints in shorter glasses. In a letter explaining the veto, Gov. Paul LePage wrote that the bill failed the test of whether it “truly helps the people of Maine.” “If any restaurants in our state provide unsatisfactory service or serve smaller than expected portions to the public, then I trust the people of Maine will vote with their feet – and their wallets – to frequent the establishments that serve them well and to avoid those that do not,” he wrote. “Additional government intervention into the free market is not required to address this issue.” According to the Bangor Daily News, the Senate voted Thursday to uphold the veto.

Another Trademark Dispute, Of Course

Peddler Brewing of Seattle is changing the name of one of its beers in response to a cease and desist letter it received from Lost Coast Brewing of Eureka, Calif., according to a report from Komo News. According to the report, Peddler renamed its Tangerine Wheat, changing it to Tangerine Hefeweizen, after Lost Coast informed the company that it was infringing on one of its trademarks. “It was almost a little bit of validation to what we were doing that this large brewery from down in California decided we were threatening in some way and needed to send us this letter,” Dave Keller, co-owner of Peddler, told Komo. “They shouldn’t have been granted that trademark, I don’t think, but they were and it’s within their right to do that. I’m not bitter about it.”

Iowa Lawmakers Pass Growler Bill

Iowa lawmakers have passed a bill allowing for the sale of 72 oz. growlers at local convenience stores, according to the Quad City Times. State Rep. Mike Sexton (R-Rockwell City) said the bill was less about boosting the state’s beer industry and more a general shot in the arm to the economy. “This bill is more about helping small businesses flourish in the state of Iowa than it is about selling beer,” he told the website. Indeed, some brewers in the state have bemoaned the measure, saying it doesn’t go far enough. “I’d like to see a bill that allows brewpubs to be just able to fill a growler, smaller one, larger, fill it off the tap, hand it to the customers and be gone with it,” Steve Zuidema, owner of Front Street Brewery, told KWQC TV. The bill is currently awaiting signature from Gov. Terry Branstad.

Iron Triangle to Debut Large

If Iron Triangle Brewing has one thing going for it before it even opens, it’s that it won’t be strapped for space. The company is scheduled to open in Los Angeles’ Arts District this summer with more than 40,000 sq. ft. of space at its disposal, according to Eater. According to the website, Iron Triangle has lofty ambitions with plans to outpace Golden Road to become the city’s largest brewery as well as open an onsite distillery.