[IBU] IBU Digest, Vol 35, Issue 9

[Leo Koster]

I too sent letters to senators.  It was a slight 
modification of Mark's letter with a blurb on the Iowa 
products (food, wine, and beer) being as good as any state 
and that being handcuffed by the limit limits Iowans' 
exposure to the best things in life.

"Honorable Senators:

Representative Ray Zirkelbach is proposing changes to the 
definition of beer in the Iowa code. The proposal will 
modernize the definition of beer to include many more 
current beer styles. Many Iowans believe Iowa’s definition 
of beer is outdated when viewed in the context of modern 
and historical brewing. It is a byproduct of post 
Prohibition politics. The variety and quality of beers 
available has exploded in the past 2 decades giving 
Americans the most diverse beer culture we have ever seen. 
These styles are brewed throughout most of the United 
States by the burgeoning craft beer industry and cannot 
currently be brewed in Iowa.

Unfortunately, the richness of this developing culture is 
limited in Iowa. Any beers with an alcohol content in 
excess of 5% ABW are classified as intoxicating liquor and 
must be wholesaled through the state warehouse rather than 
being handled by a beer distributor. Some of these beer 
styles have been brewed in Europe for hundreds of years 
and are being brewed by many craft brewers in America, but 
are not available in Iowa. New styles being invented and 
refined in the US likewise are not available.

The state warehouse system was not designed to handle beer 
when it was devised. Without the proper facilities to 
store and distribution system to handle beer, the quality 
of the product is compromised and the choice available to 
the retailer and thus the consumer is limited. I’ve 
attached a post to a web site from the president of Bells 
Brewing explaining to Iowa customers why some of his beers 
are no longer available in Iowa. Since this posting, it is 
my understanding that Bell’s Brewing has decided to quit 
doing business with the state of Iowa.

Iowa is blessed with some wonderful brewers at micro 
breweries and brew pubs who are also limited by this 
definition. They showcase their talents very well, but I’d 
love to sample their efforts with this limitation lifted.

Some may argue there will be a loss of revenue to the 
state by making this change in definition. While the tax 
rate will be reduced on some of these beer styles, the 
increased availability could easily increase the volume of 
sales. The aficionados of these beers presently have to 
seek them out when traveling to other states. Thousands of 
dollars go to beer stores in Omaha, Kansas City, Chicago, 
St. Louis and the Twin Cities. The loss to Iowa is not 
only in beer tax, but in lost sales tax and lost revenue 
to retailers. Most would rather buy these beers from local 
retailers, they simply are not available.

Some will argue this has the potential to increase the 
frequency of DUI. The argument is politically motivated as 
there will still be many stronger beverages, including 
Iowa wines, available to Iowans. Further, the beers 
affected by the proposed change tend to be rich, complex 
beers that are more likely sipped and savored than quaffed 
like the mass market beers.

As an agricultural state and producer of the world’s food, 
Iowa should be a leader in culinary, wine, and brewing 
arts. Iowans should be able to display their full range of 
products to the world. Should this bill make it to a vote, 
I urge you to vote in favor of it.

Sincerely,

Leo Koster
1639 Quarry Trail
Winterset, Iowa 50273

http://beeradvocate.com/forum/read/1099748

Text of Larry Bell's posting:

I want to let you know that certain brands from Bell's 
Brewery will(at least for the time being) not be available 
in Iowa. These brands are ones that we are required to 
distribute through the State of Iowa because of their 
alcoholic content. While we have tried to work with the 
State, they do not pay their bills on time, and we have 
been forced to put them on a cash sales basis. The State 
of Iowa tells us that they cannot conduct business in this 
manner, which means that we cannot sell them beer. I like 
Iowa, but I don't need to finance State government. We 
have also found the State lacking in proper storage 
facilities for draft beer. Honestly,why is the State 
involved in beer distribution? They don't have proper 
warehousing and they don't pay their bills.
We will continue to dialog with the State to try to 
resolve this situation, but beers like Two Hearted and 
Expedition Stout will be missing from the State until we 
can find a solution to this problem.
I apologize to any store or individual that may be 
inconveinced by our actions. I hope that you can realize 
that we are trying to run a successful brewery, and that 
we need solid partners to do that with. Please also note 
that we are very happy with our REAL Iowa distributor, MJ, 
and that the situation with the State is no fault of 
theirs.

Larry Bell
President
Bell's Brewery, Inc.