USA, VI: Virginian breweries allowed selling beer on-site

A bill sponsored by Sen. Jeff McWaters, R-Virginia Beach, and approved this year by the General Assembly and Gov. Bob McDonnell allows on-site sales of beer at breweries starting July, 1, The Virginian-Pilot reported on July, 07.

Before, Virginia breweries could offer only tastings or to-go sales.

Local brewers said the law puts them on an even keel with wineries. "This is a pretty big deal," said Justin MacDonald, president of Beach Brewing Co. in Virginia Beach. "It makes it a little easier for breweries to get their beer into drinkers' hands."

Beach Brewing sells beer for on-site consumption every day but Monday, MacDonald said. Depending on the beer, it goes for $4 to $5 for a 12- to 16-ounce glass. O'Connor Brewing Co. in Norfolk hasn't started on-site sales, but owner Kevin O'Connor said that he's "90 percent positive we will." The St. George Brewing Co. in Hampton has on-premises sales only on Saturdays - for $4 to $5 a pint - because "we're first and foremost a brewery," said William Spence, director of drinking operations.

"We're not looking at a huge 50 percent boost to our revenue," Spence said. "But it'll be nice to be able to sit down and have a beer and talk to the people who brew it."

10 July, 2012