PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Proclamation Ale Co., a small Rhode Island brewery that is pushing to change the state’s beer laws, recently received an angry letter about its efforts.
In response, the brewer set the letter on fire and posted to Facebook a photo of him holding the flaming document.
“It’s Proclamation,” said Dave Witham, the primary owner and brewer. “I thought we should make a statement.”
The anonymous letter appeared to be from a liquor retailer, upset that Proclamation is urging lawmakers to remove the limit on the amount breweries can sell to visitors on site for consumption off premises.
Rhode Island allows for 72 ounces per visitor. Many other states have a higher limit or none at all. Among Rhode Island’s neighbors, Connecticut’s limit is 9 liters and Massachusetts doesn’t have one.
The owners of Proclamation in West Kingston, R.I., say that if the state’s breweries could sell more beer directly to consumers, they could afford to hire more people and make more beer to send to distributors for the retailers, so every tier of the system benefits.
Some retailers, however, think the current system works well and protects the public. And some worry that changing it could be bad for their businesses.
The letter, which was postmarked in Providence and mailed to Proclamation in late March, says, “Retailers are happy to see small breweries succeed with their endeavors, but it should not happen at their expense.”
The section of the law in question dates to 1933, when Prohibition was repealed. Under a three-tiered system, manufacturers sell alcohol to distributors, who, in turn, sell to retailers.
Lawmakers introduced bills this legislative session to remove the 72-ounce limit, arguing that Rhode Island needs to modernize, support its breweries and embrace beer tourism.
Democratic Rep. Joseph Solomon, of Warwick, said he thinks changing the law could help retailers because people who like the beer at the brewery will likely buy it in the future at their local liquor store.
“It’s not taking away from anyone,” he said. “It’s an easy way to create jobs and boost the economy.”
A lobbyist for independent liquor retailers in Rhode Island, Robert Goldberg, said he is working with lawmakers on a compromise. The Rhode Island Liquor Stores Association declined to comment, citing the negotiations.
