The AHA sent out this request and Shawn at Beer Philosopher has the whole text. I think it's a great idea and a good base document, that said there is a minor improvement you can add to the letter. Add the number of breweries and people employed locally into the text. It will mean more if they know how many people in their district are working in the field. If you don't have access to the data you can find it here. If you don't have much in your district use the data on how it impacts your home state, it will still be a helpful supporting point. Get out there and support craft beer!

Last Fall I watched with a bit of bemused interest as much of beer blogging community supported Obama that he would some how change the American beer scene, that he was one of us so to speak. Likewise that McCain would represent a turn to Budweiser at the White House because of his wife's family business. I never bought into any of it because I knew at the end of the day craft beer fundamentally wasn't on either's agenda.

Today with the meeting of Obama with a couple of gentlemen for beer at the White House I see that this great 'change' has brought us someone drinking Budweiser. What an all too perfect metaphor for the two party political system.

Change Indeed.

ps - If I were there I'd request a Capital City brew, hand crafted just a few blocks from the White House.

Many beer bloggers have been convinced since some pictures that Obama is "one of us" and he would by sympathetic to craft beers concerns. I remained sceptical figuring craft beer would not really be a factor to any of the candidates.

The recent selection of Chuck Hurley to lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proved my point. Selected someone who has led a neo-prohibitionist organization demonstrates that no matter how many pictures someone has with a beer, it's their policy choices that will ultimately matter the most.

Check out Radley Balko's article in Reason to see what this appointment means for beer lovers and anyone who drives in the United States.

Representative Earl Pomeroy has reintroduced a bill to reduce the taxes on beer. This bill is designated H.R. 836, a bill 'To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reduce the tax on beer to its pre-1991 level, and for other purposes.' Considering the increased costs craft brewing has faced in the last few years now would be a perfect time to change the law. Last session Representative Pomeroy had 238 cosponsors for this bill he currently has 13. It's time that craft beer lovers step up to help the brewing community.

Here is a draft letter for beer lovers to use to contact their member of Congress, please feel free to copy and pass along to others.

Dear Representative [Name],

Craft brewing has been changing the United States the last two decades. Besides brewing beer they demonstrate the entrepreneurial spirit and show that America can craft products that we can all take pride in. For that reason I ask you to Cosponsor H.R. 836 .

There are three primary reasons why you should support H.R. 836. Craft Brewers have faced cost increases in grain, hops, and transportation fees. This bill will help them balance these increased costs to keep them succeeding in this difficult economy.

This bill will support small business. There are over 1400 craft breweries in the United States. Charlie Papazian, President of the American Homebrewers Association(AHA), estimates nationally, small and independent craft brewers employ nearly 98,000 full- and part-time employees.

Lastly this bill will promote artisan brewers and their work to promote local, sustainable businesses. According to the AHA there is a craft brewer within 10 miles of most Americas. Supporting craft brewing keeps money in the local economy. Furthermore, these are business that are actively involved in local communities and charities on a daily basis.

This bill makes sense in these trying times, I ask you to sign on as a Cosponsor to H.R. 836. Thank you for your time and I look forward to your support.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

If you don't want to use my letter feel free to write your own, just remember to keep it polite and focus on the issue. Unsure of who your Member of Congress is you can find your House Member here and your Senators here. It's a good idea to include your address so they can verify you are from their district as most members of Congress will not answer letters from people in other districts.

Now is a prime moment to take action, it's San Francisco Beer Week. Philadelphia Beer Week is not far behind. Brewers and beer bloggers can work these events to let beer lovers know about this issue. Currently no Members from California, Oregon or Pennsylvania have signed on to this legislation. Considering how much craft beer is part of these states they should be some of the most active supporters on this important issue.

So let's see if we can move this bill forward.

From a recent MSNBC article on Obama...

"You know I got a beer down there. What do they cal it.. a Yuengling?" Obama said to a local man.
"Yuengling! Like you didn't know," the guy joked back.
"Trying a Pennsylvania beer, that's what I'm talking about. Is it expensive though?" Obama asked. "Wanna make sure it's not some designer beer or something."

Actually, it's from the oldest brewery in the nation.

Okay this bothers me, now honestly I worked in politics long enough to know he is playing for the camera and the audience, wants to be sure to play the common man but to do so in a joking way.

But to me the beer guy, saying that about what is one of the original craft breweries in the country, it turns me off. Over at What's on Tap William asks Why do most Americans drink bland lager? I suspect as long as people pull this “designer beer” line we will be fighting a long war.

As I mentioned in the comments “We are making progress artisanal foods, slow food, heck even the internet allowing people to choose their own media and news is breaking down walls. It’s not a quick progress, the harder you push, the slower the progress. I suspect homebrewers and local farmers market are our inroads to success.” I still believe it now, but it is ultimately a generational fight that craft beer has before it.

In an age where the artisanal is becoming appreciated again, even college bars are serving increasing variety of beers, we are making progress. Most of the bars in downtown Flagstaff when I turned 21 offered the usual lineup of domestics and might have Sierra Nevada or Anchor if you were lucky. Now I can't think of one that doesn't have at least 6-10 taps and only a couple are mass produced light lager.

Remember next time someone tells you 'designer beer' reply back “No, it's craft beer! Brewed with quality, craftsmanship, and love for an art” and what is more American than that?

enjoy

Watching Reason TV? I hadn't either but if this piece is anything like the norm, it is something to definately add to your regular watching/feed list.



Don't think that beer and wine aren't on this same agenda he speaks about.

to Vaclev Havel. When historians write about the Cold War, it's End and this time after he will rank as one of the most thoughtful intellectuals and politicans of this time. You wonder where the Churchills or Lincolns are among us and I would point you to him. Some recent quotes.

The answer might surprise you...

Good News: McCain is out on Presidential Bus tour to raise his campaign's profile

Bad News: The tour is on a Greyhound

Brookston Bulletin has a interesting examination of the CDC's look at Binge Drinking. Worth a read, another sign of how neo-prohibtionism is on the rise and the report will become a catalyst especially for groups like MADD. The problem with some public policy groups is they achieve success then run out of things to do so they go looking for new worlds to conquer.

I know some people who consider publicly funded elections a great idea and I have never had much faith in the concept. Not so long ago a State legislator had to give up his seat because of a minor reporting error the Citizens Clean Elections Commission ruled. But then that same agency makes a $2 million dollar error and no one loses their job. So while they are all ready to hold the Sword of Damocles over the voter's choice, they have shown little accountability themselves. Expresso Straight has been doing a great job on following the issue.

And people seriously would like to expand this program, unbelievable.