If you heard my testimony before the Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee back on March 22, 2011 (or if you’ve been a regular reader of this blog), you might recall me talking about how the 3-Tier System is really the 5-Tier System. The beer industry in Texas isn’t just brewer, wholesaler, retailer and it is an affront to forget the 4th and 5th Tiers – consumers and the state itself, respectively – in a discussion on statutory reform.
I’m happy to see that the 4th Tier, the consumer, has organized to have a voice in the political arena. First of all, with due respect to members of the Wholesale Tier who seem to believe the world revolves around them, it needs to be acknowledged that the 4th Tier is the most important tier. Without beer drinkers, there is no beer for brewers to produce. There are no deliveries for wholesalers to make. There is nothing for retailers to sell. There is nothing for the state to regulate and tax.
The beer industry does not exist to be a piggy bank for bloated distribution companies who wish there was simply a commodity called “beer” in a non-descript white can – after all, that would make their jobs a whole lot easier. The beer industry exists because consumers want beer. And though it pains some industry members, it is becoming increasingly obvious that beer consumers want a diverse, well maintained selection of craft beer. Sorry lifelong Bud Light salesman, times have changed. Either board the train or get steamrolled by it.
Open The Taps is an organization founded by a group of Houston craft beer drinkers (that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting over the years: great folks, I can vouch) aimed at giving the 4th Tier an organized voice at the Capitol. I look forward to seeing how their fundraising efforts go and their impact on Texas lawmakers leading up to and during the next legislative session. Along with my organization, Texas Beer Freedom (which represents Texas Craft Breweries and Brewpubs), the increased awareness for the design for statutory reform will reach a point where it can no longer be ignored. You know I’ll be talking more on this topic here on my blog as the effort gets rolling again.
As one of the founding volunteers of Texas Beer Freedom, Andy Liddell, said before the Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee:
“Alcohol regulation is supposed to protect the consumer. Well, unfortunately all our laws are doing is preventing me, the consumer, from getting the products I really want.”
Drink Beer, Save Texas.
