Sweeping craft beer rule changes sought by Maryland comptroller

Associated Press

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot, left, clinks glasses with RaR Brewing's J.T. Merryweather at the brewery's Cambridge, Maryland location on Tuesday, June 27.

Maryland's comptroller is recommending sweeping changes to the state's regulation of craft breweries.

The Baltimore Sun reports comptroller Peter Franchot unveiled a legislative package Monday that would eliminate limits on sales from taprooms and for take-home consumption for the state's breweries. It also would eliminate limits on beer production for breweries that faced caps and let localities set taproom hours.

Franchot says those types of limits have stifled a promising economic engine.

The comptroller's office says the proposals largely reflect the findings of the Comptroller's Reform on Tap Task Force. The panel held eight meetings on the state's current laws and the impact they have on the craft brewing industry.

The task force's report found Maryland's regulations are far tighter than those in Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

Background:Delmarva brewers rally against new Maryland law