Politicians at it Again - $1.80 Per Six-Pack Tax in California?

California Assembley Member Jim Beall, Jr., D-San Jose has introduced legislation that would increase the excise tax on beer by $1.80 per six-pack of $0.30 per 12 oz bottle. This tax would be levied against the manufacturer, but obviously passed on to the consumer.

This article details the legislation more.

You can contact Assembly Member Jim Beall, Jr. here, or use this contact info:

E-Mail Assembly Member Jim Beall, Jr.

Capitol Office:                                         District Office:
State Capitol                                            100 Paseo De San Antonio, Suite 300
P.O. Box 942849                                     San Jose, CA 95113
Sacramento, CA 94249-0024
Tel: (916) 319-2024                               Tel: (408) 282-8920
Fax: (916) 319-2124                              Fax: (408) 282-8927

Capitol Staff District Staff

Californians should be especially worried, but all beer lovers should take notice. This would be a bad trend to start. The above linked article states:

Beer corporations continue to rake in profits. American’s biggest brewer, Anheuser-Busch, reported a net income of $2.1 billion in 2007, nearly 8 percent above the previous year; Molson Coors reported $507 million in revenue after taxes.

What they don't tell you is that the enormous number of craft beer producers in California, small local businesses, do not make nearly this kind of revenue or profit. Many are teetering on the brink of bankruptcy and, with the rising prices of raw materials, this additional cost could send many over the edge. Beyond this, raising prices to stem consumption of alcohol is ludicrous and doesn't treat the actual societal problems. All it will do is cause people to spend more money on booze and less elsewhere.

Beall states, "As responsible corporate citizens, breweries should be willing to pay their fair share of the damage that alcohol wreaks on society." You know, it's funny, I was pretty sure alcohol is pretty taxed already. Not to mention alcohol abuse is usually a symptom of a bigger problem, not the cause of all the problems. He goes on to say, "Researchers have concluded that raising beer taxes not only minimizes drinking but reduces alcohol-associated problems such as broken families, venereal diseases, property damage, and birth defects caused by fetal alcohol syndrome," and his office cites a study that "recommended a raise in taxes on beer to curb consumption by teenagers who, as a group, are highly price conscious." I didn't realize that raising taxes on the least intoxicating alcohol beverage you can buy would help the world so much [please note heavy sarcasm]. Teenagers are price conscious, but they're still going to drink. They'll just drink cheap vodka, and get even drunker. They won't stop drinking, they'll just switch product. You want to help prevent those broken homes, venereal diseases, property damage and birth defects? Education is the answer. And counseling. Tax beer and people will just get their buzz elsewhere.

It's fortuitous that the time for brewers to "start paying their fair share" comes when this state is already in a huge budget deficit. Maybe, as a responsible government, you should figure out a way to fix this deficit without devastating small local businesses. There are around 275 craft breweries and brewpubs in California. After they get hit with a $1.80 per six-pack tax, I wonder what that number will be?

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Coors to Launch Pale Moon Belgian Pale Ale - Blue Moon Line Extension

So it appears that Coors is set to launch a new Belgian Pale Ale called Pale Moon. This will be an extension to the Blue Moon franchise, which already includes the Blue Moon year-round Belgian Wit Ale, as well as a seasonals for the entire year.

This new offering is described as:

Belgian-Style Pale Ale brewed with cascade hops and a touch of hibiscus and orange peel.

It rings in at 5.4% abv and will come in 12oz bottles.

According to the rear label:

Pale Moon is a drinkable pale ale that has a distinctive hop aroma, without the lingering aftertaste. This Belgian-Style Pale Ale is brewed with European malts, cascade hops and a touch of hibiscus and orange peel. These ingredients create a rich copper colored ale with a flavor complexity that one would expect from the Blue Moon Brewing Company.

Information from the Brewblog, which can be found here, furthermore states: "Chief Marketing Officer Andy England said Coors... will add 22-ounce bottles and 12-packs of seasonals."

Pale Moon will launch in test cities in May and will have a national rollout in 2009 if it's well accepted.

Also, taken from Brewblog:

A press release discussing Coors’ new advertising is here.

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Stone Imperial Russian Stout 2008 in 12oz Bottles - Coming Soon

Limited Spring 2008 Release
10.8% abv
12oz bottle

So the big news on this label is the fact that it's in 12oz bottles now. Like Oak Aged Arrogant Bastard and Ruination, will we be seeing Stone Imperial Russian Stout in 6 packs? That would be great! It's much easier to try aging that way, as you can buy 6 at a time instead of 1. And, per ounce, 6 packs tend to be cheaper. I really hope we see these in 6-packs soon!

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River Horse Brewer's Reserve Double White - Coming Soon

Limited Edition Ale Brewed with Spices

Let's face it, brewers get bored of making the same recipes everyday. That's why we introduced our line of limited edition brews. What's in this bottle is a unique brew conceived by our crack team of alchemist brewers and produced with painstaking care for the craft beer drinker in you.

7% abv

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Pennichuck Halligan IPA - Coming Soon

An American IPA

A halligan bar is one of the most common firefighting tools in use today and is used in conjunction with an axe and when "married" to the axe they are referred to as "irons." Halligan IPA is an American IPA brewed using imported rye and specialty malts, amarilla, tettnang and nugget hops which gives off a well balanced taste adn aroma profile that finishes clean, crisp and refreshing. Pairs well with sharp pungent or peppery cheese, poultry, fish or shellfish.

22oz bomber

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Avery Anniversary Ale Fifteen - Coming Soon

Ale brewed with spices, herbs and figs
A refreshingly tart, fruity, funky farmhouse ale brewed with black mission figs, hibiscus flowers and white pepper. Fermented with 100% brettanomyces.

15 years of brewing! You know what's been the best part lately? Tons of experimentation! For the past couple of years, we've been working with several strains of brettanomyces (wild yeast). We found one and deemed it the best for its tart flavor and funky, fruity aroma. Adding black mission figs for a subtle jammy aspect, hibiscus flowers for an herbal bouquet and hazy sunset hue, and white pepper for a bit of spicy twang, we've created FIFTEEN - a unique drinking experience inspired by the wild farmhouse ales of Belgium. Though immensely complex today, more flavors will emerge with time, so throw a few bottles in your cellar for future celebrations. Thanks to all of you who have made our 15-year ride possible! Peace to all and follow your dreams!

22oz bomber
7.1% abv

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Surly Brewing Co. Bitter Brewer - Coming Soon

Beer for a glass, from a can. Fresh beer, keep it cold!

First one in, last one out, sweating in the summer, freezing in the winter. Years of toiling and boiling have turned our brewer Todd into a cynical, surly, bitter brewer... You too can get bitter without all the fuss. Simply crack open a can and fill a glass with our latest - Bitter Brewer. Pale orange in color, this ale gets intense toast and marmalade character from British malt and American hops. Dry-hopping brings the floral citrus aromas. So go ahead and get bitter.

16oz can
37 IBU
4% abv

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Pennichuck Brewing Co. Feuerwehrmann Schwarzbier Black Lager - Coming Soon

Schwarzbier (shvahrts-beer) is German for "black beer." Brewed to be a light bodied dark beer with a clean, crisp, refreshing finish. Its well balanced malt character is complemented with a touch of roastiness. Brewed using imported black patent malt and noble hops. Pairs well with chunky dark breads, marinated meats such as brisket or German Sauerbraten. Not recommended for cellaring.