The Ohio Craft Brewer Freedom Act got a first hearing in the Ohio Senate this week. Now is the time to let your state lawmakers know that you support reform of the 50-year-old franchise law that locks small breweries into unfair, virtually unbreakable contracts with powerful beer wholesalers. Franchise laws can inhibit the growth of craft producers, limit consumer choice and lead to higher prices in the market.

Ohio is home to more than 430 independently owned craft breweries. These small business owners are forced to comply with the Ohio Alcoholic Beverages Franchise Act of 1974: legislation that was built to check the power of large corporations but now locks small brewers into unfair, effectively unbreakable contracts with large, powerful wholesalers (the businesses that deliver Ohio craft beers to market).

“Very few people in Ohio right now know that franchise law exists or how it impacts craft brewers. Because of this outdated law, we have no negotiating power, no recourse and no way out of unfair contracts. Our Brewers Freedom Alliance is working to change that,” says Mary MacDonald, executive director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. “We are appreciative that Senator Brenner and other Ohio lawmakers have heard our pleas for relief and are now taking action.”

TheBrewers Freedom Alliance urges Ohio lawmakers to support small Ohio business owners with this legislation.“This bill is about small business owners having the freedom and flexibility to make the best decisions for their employees, brewery and customers,” said Senator Brenner, R-Delaware. “I’m proud to carry this legislation that I know will make Ohio an even better place to live and do business.”
Please take a moment to ask your state legislators to help the small and independent breweries in their districts by supporting franchise law reform. Let’s send a message that craft breweries are important parts of our communities that we’ll fight to protect. 🍻