(Photo Credit: vgm8383 on Flickr)

(Washington D.C.) – About three dozen representatives of small breweries are in the nation’s capitol tonight.

According to a press release sent out today by Sprecher Brewing, small brewery reps have descended on Washington D.C. to flex some political muscle. Earlier today, I posted a summary of the political beer battles going on across the country in just the past couple weeks. The timing of the trip couldn’t be better.

Among the chief topics of discussion will be the Brewer’s Employment and Excise Relief (BEER) Act which will reduce excise taxes for small breweries.

Jeff Hamilton, President of the Wisconsin Brewers Guild and Sprecher Brewing Company, travels to Capitol Hill for two days of meetings with 34 other guild presidents, the House Small Brewers Caucus, and members of Congress June 2 and 3. Hamilton has a meeting scheduled with Congressman Paul Ryan during which he plans to discuss small brewer concerns and job creation opportunities.

The press release continues…

Sponsored by the Brewers Association, whose purpose is to “promote and protect small and independent American brewers, their craft beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts,” the trip will allow guild presidents to advocate for small breweries in their states as well as legislation affecting the craft brewing industry. Hamilton is, “proud to be a member of craft beer industry, which is defined more by camaraderie than antagonism. We are businesspeople in a creative industry; we are passionate about our products, our workforce and our customers.”