Connecticut takes the Brew out of the Brewpub

A new state law that took effect June 29 scraps a 77-year-old provision in state liquor regulations that has prevented Connecticut's nine brewpubs from having their beers, ales and stouts bottled and distributed. The law now allows them to sell the brews to wholesalers for distribution. Before the law change, Connecticut was the only state in New England where brewpubs could not sell their beer to wholesalers or distributors.

It is good to see the State of Connecticut looking beyond the legality and changing laws to help local small businesses grow. Hopefully more states will take this new law and see how they can assist their own local businesses expand their services and help their own economy at the same time.

Now instead of Steve Boucino and Scott Scanlon, owners of The Cambridge House in Granby, moving their entire operation 4 miles north into Massachusetts they are instead in the process of opening a new 13,000-square-foot facility in Torrington and are considering a third site. And as a nod to the bill that became the new law, they plan to put the bill's number - 7138 - on their bottles when they start producing their variety 12-packs. This is sure be the lucky number for the current and future brewpubs in Connecticut.