I noticed a couple articles right after Part I. First, there was an article depicting a bleak 2009 for beer, saying that beer was no longer recession-proof. Q4 sales dropped substantially for beer relative to wine and liquor sales. And then craft beer sales numbers came out. The good news is that we are still growing in market share. The bad news is that the growth is slowing. The increases in production market share, as shown above, went from .5% in 2006 to .37% in 2007 to .25% in 2008. Increases in retail market share went from .65% in 2007 (based on 4.2 billion in craft beer/80 billion total) to .4% in 2008.

There is still work to be done.

As promised, here is a rundown of some of the liquor law shakeups (some good, some debatable) around the country. In each case, there is a link with more info so that you can help. And if you live in one of these states, consider making allies with others facing a similar fight. Strength in numbers…

USA

BEER ACT [Brewers Excise and Economic Relief (BEER) Act] – Reduces the federal beer excise tax back to pre-1991 levels. This is one of the few bills out there that is pro-beer. Thank Earl Pomeroy, North Dakota Representative.
STATUS: Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee

Oregon

WHAT: This is the biggie you’ve probably read the most about. From the Oregon Brewers Guild blog: “The Oregon brewing industry is facing a nearly $50 per barrel increase on beer taxes – an increase of over 1900% – which would make the Oregon beer excise tax the highest in the country. If House Bill 2461 passes, it could result in the loss of up to 3,400 Oregon jobs and devastate an industry that currently supports 5,200 direct and 10,000 indirect employees.”
STATUS: Hearing was held on February 23 (MSNBC article)
HELP: Three things you can do, Mega action info via Surly Duff

Arizona

WHAT: Arizona is proposing a 2087% tax on beer, trying to out-muscle the Oregon tax!
STATUS: Still preliminary talks in legislature (Examiner article)

Alabama

WHAT: Trying to raise the ABV level for third (or fourth?) year in a row; site of the infamous “It drink pretty good, don’t it?” quote
STATUS: Passed the House on Wednesday as in prior year but up against the Senate again (Free the Hops blog)
HELP: See bottom of this page

Mississippi

WHAT/STATUS: They already lost this one at the hands of Senator David Baria; another state trying to raise its ABV cap (5%)

Colorado

WHAT: Allow full-strength beer to be carried in supermarkets. Sounds good, right? Actually, Colorado breweries are lining up against this bill as it could hurt small liquor stores that carry a wide selection of craft beer. If supermarkets take over liquor sales, they will obviously not carry that same kind of selection. (great Fermentarium article and BeerTapTV coverage)
STATUS: ??? There was a discussion thread at Beer Advocate but no idea where it’s at now

Utah

WHAT: ABV cap lift on state’s 3.2% ABV to allow “full-strength” beer
STATUS: Was passed by the House 58-2 on Tuesday. Moves to senate (Salt Lake Tribune)

There are also laws on the table in Utah to lift the zion curtain and legalize homebrewing.

Kansas
WHAT: Cap increase for gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores from 3.2% to 4%. Again, the impact is on small liquor stores. (DodgeCity.com article)
STATUS: Preliminary (kind of a guess)

Wisconsin

WHAT/STATUS: Beer tax increase that is in preliminary stages (Wisconsin radio link)

UK

WHAT/STATUS: What’s been happening over there is unreal. 2,000 pubs have closed as a result of a major beer tax hike over there. CAMRA is trying to fight it… (BBC article)

Unfortunately, that is all I have time to post right now. Here is an article mentioning laws in some other states (many to end ban on Sunday liquor sales!). Spread the word and support your state’s beer laws. Support your Local Brewery is another great resource where you can sign up for email alerts for when laws are proposed in your state.