A bill that would add more options for the state’s craft brewers has been introduced.
Sponsored by Rep. Bill Bush, D-Dover House Bill 45 would allow Delaware breweries to own and operate up to five brewpubs in the state, an increase from the three currently permitted.
The limit on breweries killed any chances for Delaware-based Iron Hill, opening a fourth location in Delaware. Instead, it opted for a brewery and taphouse in Exton, PA.
“By capping these licenses at three, we are unnecessarily stunting the growth of our brewpubs, and in many cases, causing them to expand out of our state,” Bush stared. “Allowing additional licenses will give our local craft breweries the ability to grow, creating jobs and opportunities here in Delaware.”
“The Delaware brewing industry, including microbreweries and brewpubs, all want to stay here in Delaware, so anything the Legislature can do to help us grow and expand our business here is a plus for everybody,” said Eric Williams, president of Mispillion River Brewing in Milford and legislative chair of the Delaware Brewers Guild.
In addition to their impact on local economies, Delaware’s craft breweries and brewpubs attract thousands of visitors every year, bolstering Delaware’s tourism sector.
Another measure filed Friday would permit Delaware brewpubs and microbreweries to brew, bottle and sell their own hard seltzers.
Current Delaware law prohibits breweries from creating their own hard seltzers, even though federal law has permitted the brewing of hard seltzer for decades. House Bill 46, also sponsored by Bush, would update Delaware’s code to mirror the existing federal law.
Craft beverage calendar
A new 2121 calendar will feature the state’s growing craft beverage industry.
A drink with principals at Liquid Alchemy, located near Wilmington and Midnight Oil Brewing blossomed into a full calendar with 24 participating craft establishments in Delaware.
Both Liquid Alchemy and Midnight Oil did all the leg work and coordination with Metro Color printing to bring this to life, just in time for the Holidays.
Each month, two establishments are featured, complete with coupons.
Each calendar is $10 and will be offered at the following
- 38*-75* Brewing
- Autumn Arch Beer Project
- Beach Time Distilling
- Bellefonte Brewing
- Big Oyster Brewing
- Blue Earl Brewing
- Brick Works Brewing & Eats
- Crooked Hammock Brewery
- Dew Point Brewing
- Dogfish Head Brewing
- Feebs Distilling
- Fordham & Dominion Brewing
- Hangman Brewing
- Harvest Ridge Winery
- How Do You Brew?
- Liquid Alchemy Beverages
- Mispillion River Brewing
- Midnight Oil Brewing
- Painted Stave Distilling
- Stewart’s Brewing
- Stitch House Brewing
- Twisted Irons Brewing
- Volunteer Brewing
- Wilmington Brew Works
First State Brewing opens
First State Brewing has opened in Middletown. Ground was broken last year for the brewrey, which has a taproom, dining room and a selection of brews.
The menu bar fare and one of the few places to offer poutine, a French Canadian speciality that includes cheese sauce, cheese curds and perhaps french fries.
The brewery has been in the works for more than five years.
It joins Volunteer and Crooked Hammock in the fast-growing community in southern New Castle County.
