(Nashville, TN) – WBIR had two separate but potentially related reports on Monday. Looks like there could be some developments this week…

First on reforming the beer tax:

A proposed beer tax reform will face its first hurdle in the state senate. The decades-old law requires a 17 percent wholesale tax based on the price of the beer. The reform proposal would switch it to a volume-based circulation. The senate state and local government committee is scheduled to vote on the bill on Tuesday. The house local government subcommittee will take it up on Wednesday.

The second is on allowing high-end beer sales in grocery stores:

The beer industry has swung its support behind a bill to allow Tennessee supermarkets and convenience stores to sell wine as long as strong beer is included in the measure. Tennessee Malt Beverage Association President Rich Foge confirmed to The Associated Press on Monday that his board decided to drop its long opposition to changing the law. In return, the beer makers want a provision allowing groceries to sell high-gravity beer, which has higher alcohol content.