There is an old saying in Florida that goes like this: "No one is safe when the legislature is in session". The craft brewers of the state are finding this out in 2014. There is a bill, SB-1714 in the Senate, that would hurt the smallest of the state's new craft breweries. What it does is make the brewers sell their own beer at the brewery only after it has gone through a distributor. Currently, the craft brewers can sell on premises without using a distributor. This bill will increase costs and hurt the smaller guys who need that extra revenue, especially in the early start - up stages of their business. This is about on site sales only; the brewers already use a distributor for sales outside the brewery. The bill is up for a final vote this week in the Senate. There is no companion bill in the House, but this is the final week of the session where many deals are struck. The Senate president is on record as voting for "What my friend the Budweiser distributor wants me to do." This was publically stated, and the larger distributors have increased their donations in Tallahassee over the last few years. In light of this situation, I urge everyone to call their Senator's office to ask that they vote against the bill. Find out who your Senator or House Representative is HERE. It is imperative that craft beer people let their opinion be known. At this point the best we can do is kill the bill and try for a clean growler bill next year. Let your representatives in the capital know where you stand on this issue. The craft beer growth we are seeing has been phenomenal, and the new small breweries are popping up all over Florida. I look forward to the day where there is at least one brewery in every county in Florida. That probably won't happen if the big distributors of industrial lagers buy their way in Tallahassee. Update: SB 1714 passed the Senate on Tuesday. Luckily, there is no companion bill in the House. Several House members have said that the bill has no chance this late, as the session ends tonight (May 2nd) at midnight. Keep your fingers crossed! 

The "Style of the Month" for April is Belgian Blonde Ale. Belgian Blonds are the perfect spring ale; light in color and taste, a refreshing ale for the new spring days. New Belgium Brewing makes a classic example of the style. Their Spring Blonde drinks malty and sweet with a lightly bitter finish.   

The Brewery of the Month of April is Sierra Nevada Brewing of Chico, California and Mills River, NC. SNB was the first brewery of the month way back in October 2012. The reason they are back is a very special event they are planning for this summer. The Beer Camp across America is a rolling beer festival with 7 stops. Every craft brewer is invited and special beers will abound. I plan to attend the final event in Mills River at the new SNB brewery. So, get ready for the best summer camp you ever went to...Beer Camp!