Another On-Site Sales Bill Filed in Texas Legislature

So far during the Texas legislative session, I've been following House Bills 602 and 660. The former would allow, as I've been putting it, "kinda-sorta" allow microbreweries to sell their product on-premises. (Currently, they must go through a distributor to sell to the ultimate consumer.) I say "kinda-sorta" because 602 actually explicitly bars direct sales at the brewery (as a sop to the distributors' lobby), but allows breweries to charge admission for a tour, and then give away product at the end of the tour. But on Monday, Austin Rep. Eddie Rodriguez filed a true on-site sales bill, HB 2436. The bill adds language stating that brewers may "sell beer produced under [a brewers'] license to those persons to whom the holder of a wine and beer retailer's permit may sell beer […]"

Due to Texas' goofy legal definitions of what constitutes "beer," "ale," and "malt liquor" (which have nothing to do with how brewers actually use those terms) the bill also has similar language making the same allowances for malt liquor.

Given the iffy chances of 602 passing, I'm sure 2436 has even far less of a chance, but Rodriguez has a history of filing bills that have no real chance of passing but need to be filed anyway just because they are good ideas – as he put it to me in a discussion about another, non-beer-related bill, he likes to "keep the conversation going." And let's face it, allowing businesses to sell directly to their actual customers is a good idea. Getting 602 passed would be nice, but eventually, Texas microbrewers must be allowed true on-site sales.

Another Jester King Party

Jester King recently announced a collaborative beer with a Danish brewer, and they're throwing a party to celebrate it next week. Perhaps if you want an escape from the Downtown SXSW madness, this drive out to the Hill Country might be a good option. The event is on Wednesday, March 16, and the brewery is at 13005 Fitzhugh Rd.:

Jester King is throwing our very first SXSW party, and we want you to be there to celebrate with us out in the beautiful Texas hill country!

***THE NEW JESTER KING / MIKKELLER COLLABORATION BEER DRINK'IN THE SUNBELT WILL BE RELEASED AT THIS EVENT ***

Due to certain regulations, tickets are now... FREE!!

***PLEASE NOTE*** You must still RSVP to events@jesterkingbrewery.com in order to attend, as parking space is EXTREMELY limited.

FEATURING LIVE MUSIC FROM:

The Invincible Czars (Austin) - http://www.invincibleczars.com/

Lars and the Hands of Light (Denmark) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZrHGv2znkE

Melogrand (Austin) - http://www.melogrand.com/

Thee Attacks (Denmark) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ztaLJPkVtM

FOOD FROM:

Vazquez Tacos - 915 East Braker Lane

***PLEASE NOTE***

- Parking is EXTREMELY SCARCE, so PLEASE CARPOOL!
- Please bring chairs
- No pets, please
- Family friendly, but children must be supervised at all times
- No ice chests or alcohol allowed in

Beer: A Genuine Collection of Cans

Recently received a promo copy of this book. It's good for nothing except fun. It combines my loves of beer, history, and things that are obsolete. (Jeez, no wonder I've never landed a high-paying job.) That's right, it's a whole book full of nothing but one man's awesome beer can collection. Go grab a copy.

Click the video for a quick preview.

House Brown 660

So apparently there's this new beer on the Texas market called House Brown 660. But it's not just one beer – different brewpubs each have their own recipe, but they're all using the same name to promote House Bill 660 in the Texas Legislature, a bill that would allow brewpubs to sell their beer 0ff-premises, i.e., at your local grocery store, liquor store, or other bars.

As I've noted in previous posts, it's a good piece of legislation that would remove silly obstacles to allowing these businesses to grow. If you're a craft beer-loving Texan, or even if you just support small businesses' right to reach more customers, then you should write to your state representative and state senator right now and declare your support for it. (And for HB 602, which would kinda-sorta allow microbreweries to sell their product on-premises. Click here for fuller descriptions of both.)

I think North by Northwest served up a cask version Monday night. And tonight (Thursday), here in Austin, you can get Black Star Co-op's version of House Brown 660. Head on over there and grab a pint to show your support. Or, if you'd like to make your own, head to Austin Homebrew Supply and pick up the ingredients and a recipe for yet another take on it.

But most of all, get involved and get these bills passed!

Texas Beer Freedom Rally in Austin Sunday

I just spotted this on Facebook:

Texas Beer Freedom Rally

Time	Sunday, March 6 · 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location	Austin Homebrew Supply 9129 Metric Blvd Austin, TX
More Info	What do we want? TX BEER FREEDOM! When do we want it? NOW! Join us for a rally for TX House Bill 660. Raffle, t-shirts, glassware, and MORE! Co-hosted by Freetail Brewing, NXNW Restaurant and Brewery, Uncle Billy’s Brew & QUE

Circle Brewing Grand Opening

If you're looking at this on Google Reader or some other program that doesn't show the images, click through to the actual page so you can see this flyer:

Flying Saucer Spring Beer Dinner Featuring Deschutes

Press release from Flying Saucer Austin:

Austin, Texas, Feb. 24, 2011 – Flying Saucer Draught Emporium is set to host its annual Spring Beer Dinner on Thursday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m. at its 815 W. 47th St. location featuring selections from Deschutes Brewery and brewmaster Larry Sidor.

The Spring Beer Dinner, hosted in the Saucer’s Hollandsworth Hall, will feature Oregon’s renowned Deschutes Brewery and a special six-course beer pairing menu. The night’s courses will be served as follows: beets and goat cheese with Mirror Pond Pale Ale; spicy shrimp and polenta with Green Lakes Organic Ale; onion soup with Black Butte Porter; winter bruschetta with Red Chair NWPA; blue cheese and orange marmalade with Hop Henge Experimental IPA; and chocolate mousse and blood oranges with The Dissident.

“We’re excited to welcome spring with a great beer pairing event featuring Deschutes Brewery,” said Ted Rowell, general manager of Flying Saucer. “A great six-course beer pairing led by brewmaster Larry Sidor, the Spring Beer Dinner will be a must-attend event for any beer enthusiast.”

Tickets for the event are $35 for U.F.O. Club members and $40 for non-members. Early purchases are suggested as tickets are limited and the event will reach capacity.