Silver Spring, MD

Peter Franchot’s Reform on Tap Task Force met at Denizens Brewery Company for a town hall meeting. 

Denizens is a Maryland brewery owned by two women, Julie Verratti and Emily Bruno. Denizens serves both food and their own beer. You can sit on their outside patio, inside at the bar or downstairs. The meeting was held downstairs, where a small bar faces the brewery.

A small gathering shared conversation, waiting for Peter Franchot to arrive. I ordered Cool Breeze on Cask. This cream stout was sweet and chocolatey with very little roasted flavors. My love of casks was fulfilled.

All attention turned to Peter Franchot as he arrived. Denizen co-owner, Julie Verratti, introduced the Maryland Comptroller. Julie is a member of the Reform on Tap Task Force. Her passion for the brewing industry is often displayed at these meetings. Her contributions to this important conversation have been priceless.

The Comptroller opened up the floor to questions. Odin Wortman asked about addressing those on the ‘other side’ of the argument? To summarize, Mr. Franchot identified the other side as the distributors. He said that they would have to accept some changes to the laws for the good of the industry. The laws were originally established to protect small distributors from the enormous breweries. Today, Maryland’s small breweries need protection.

Kendrick mentioned the layers of bureaucracy in Maryland. Did the Comptroller have any plans to address the many County and municipality liquor regulations, to make things easier for breweries? Mr. Franchot said those were good points, and would look into the matter.

Carolyn Marquis, co-owner of the Chesapeake Brewing Company of Annapolis, asked if the comptroller planned to address the relationship of brewers and  distributors. Mr. Franchot compared the split of brewer and distributor to a divorce – at times it is necessary. He thinks the current franchise law should be ended. (Currently, Maryland’s franchise law delays the termination of distributor/brewer relationships to at least 6 months.) Contracts should determine the relationship of distributors and breweries, just like any other business relationship.

Mr. Franchot guaranteed that he would make changes to the Maryland beer laws for the benefit of Maryland breweries. Just as he changed the Maryland school year, delaying the start to after Labor Day, he would improve the MD liquor laws. He just needs the help of the Maryland beer community to press their representatives to do the right thing.

Thank you, Comptroller Franchot! You are a hero to the Maryland craft beer community.

Cheers!

Warren