House OKs increase of brewery taproom sales

The House of Delegates unanimously approved legislation Saturday that would increase the amount of beer Maryland breweries can sell on their premises — but not as much as the industry wanted.

The vote sends the measure to the state Senate.

The legislation would pave the way for the opening of a Guinness brewery and tourist destination at a former distillery in Relay.

Guinness’ parent — international liquor giant Diageo — and other breweries did not get all they wanted because of opposition from the state’s liquor stores and beer wholesalers.

The legislation would limit annual on-site brewery taproom sales to 2,000 barrels, up from the current limit of 500. The measure would let the breweries sell another 1,000 barrels, but only if they bought it back from a beer wholesaler.

Diageo and the Maryland Brewers Association had lobbied for a limit in the range of 4,000 to 5,000 barrels, with no other limitations.

Diageo’s senior government relations director, Dwayne Kratt, said the company is pleased that the House passed the bill but will seek changes in the Senate that would give breweries more latitude.

Kratt said Diageo and the association are also concerned about the limitation on the hours during which breweries will be permitted to sell beer.

The legislation would allow breweries to sell directly to customers from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. That could be a sticking point in the Senate because many existing breweries are currently allowed to stay open later.