W.Va. Lawmakers Clear Bill to Help Craft Beer Industry

West Virginia lawmakers have cleared a bill to help the state’s craft beer industry.

On Friday, the House of Delegates voted 86-11 to approve a bill letting brewers give out samples at their breweries. Many more businesses could sell up to four growlers of beer a day, including brewers, brewpubs, retailers and bars.

The bill also lowers licensing fees for brewpubs, and sets up a tiered fee system for brewers, instead of the current $1,500 flat fee.

The Senate has already approved a similar measure. The bill now heads back to the upper chamber to concur or reject to House’s amendments. 

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin called for changes to help craft brewers in his State of the State address in January.

There are currently 11 brewpubs and breweries in West Virginia.