Governor Baker Signs Agreed Breweries Bill into Law

Boston - January 13, 2021 -- William Kelley, President of The Beer Distributors of Massachusetts (BDM), today issued a statement thanking Governor Baker for signing the agreed bill, An Act Relative to Craft Brewers. The Act is effective immediately. 

“The Beer Distributors of Massachusetts expresses its deep appreciation to Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito, House Speaker Mariano and Senate President Spilka for their support of this important pro-consumer and pro-business measure,” Kelley said. “This law reflects an agreement reached with the Massachusetts Brewers Guild (MBG) and will facilitate further growth and promote the health of the beer industry across the United States. We are extremely grateful to the leadership of the Massachusetts Brewers Guild and everyone involved in the persistent effort to reach this agreement.” 

Over the past decade, breweries and distributors have differed on proposed legislation that would allow breweries to end relationships with their beer distributors. Legislative leaders had urged the two sides to compromise, and the resulting discussions produced the bill that was recently enacted in the Legislature. 

The new law allows breweries that produce less than 250,000 barrels (or 3,445,000 cases) of beer, over a 12-month period, to terminate their relationship with a distributor at any time with 30 days’ notice, while recognizing the beer distributor’s investment in marketing, sales, promotion and inventory. 

Massachusetts has more than 200 breweries across the state. The agreement provides expanded opportunities for breweries to continue to grow their businesses, while Massachusetts’ consumers will continue to enjoy a wide selection of high-quality beers.