- Lifestyle & Sports
- 27 Jul 17
A proposal to change the alcohol laws could see breweries, microbreweries, cider makers and distilleries finally being allowed to sell their own produce to tourists and other visitors on site.
At the moment, it's illegal for craft brewers to sell their produce onsite, while it's the norm in the likes of France and Spain for visitors to wineries to be able to taste or even purchase bottles of wine.
Alan Kelly TD, who first introduced Labour’s Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Bill 2016 in November 2016, has welcomed a decision by Cabinet to bring forward his Bill and send to Committee stage on its way to being hopefully passed into law.
“This is a great day for craft brewers right across the country who will now be able to sell their own produce to tourists on site, as is already the case in other parts of the world," says Deputy Alan Kelly.
“I first brought forward the Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Bill 2016 back in November, as it was clear from speaking to brewers and producers that this legal anomaly was seriously hampering their ability to capitalise on the growing craft-beer tourism industry, and really deliver for their visitors.
“Could you even imagine a situation existing in Italy, France or Spain, where tourists visiting vineyards are prevented from purchasing wine at the end of their tour?"
There has been "incredible growth", he points out, in the craft-beer industry around the world in recent years and Ireland is no different, with an eleven-fold increase in annual turnover since 2011 and microbreweries currently operating in 23 of the 24 counties here.
The industry is also emerging as an important employer in rural Ireland, with microbreweries employing 439 full time workers, as well as an estimated 392 people indirectly employed in the industry here.
“This legislation will be of particular benefit to the smaller scale and local producers in particular, as well as small batch distilleries and cider makers, who will now be in a position to expand their business capabilities," adds Alan Kelly.
“It is good to see Government agree with my proposal and adopt a common sense approach by removing a regulatory barrier to growth, and supporting this expanding industry.”