In the state of Nevada, where beer wholesalers have deep political connections, self-distribution for small brewers has always been a non-starter. But craft breweries in the state are making a push for a small step forward in a bill that would allow craft breweries to move beer that is brewed at one location to their own off-site taprooms or tasting rooms without having to first sell it to a distributor.
That may seem like a small step forward, but in Nevada, any ability to self-distribute would be a victory for small brewers.
SB108 is being sponsored by Sen. Rochelle Nguyen (D-Las Vegas) and supported by the Nevada Craft Brewers Association. Beer wholesalers in the state are of course opposing the bill, claiming that it is a “job killer” (huh??). Of course, the states 51 craft breweries would benefit by being able to simply transfer their own beer from one license location to another without having to sell it to a wholesaler who then takes a 30% margin. How the beer wholesalers see this as a threat to their business is ludicrous and simply displays the power that political influence plays. This bill is a small step and one that makes sense, and time will tell if the Nevada legislature is working for their constituents, or voting to pad their campaign fund pockets.