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House Speaker Stumbo Files Bill to Prohibit Brewery-Owned Distributorships

David Shankbone - Wikimedia Commons

A debate over beer distribution has made its way to the Kentucky legislature. House Speaker Greg Stumbo has filed House Bill 168 to specify malt beverage licenses and prohibit brewery-owned distributorships.

The billcomes after brewer Anheuser-Busch’s disputed purchase of a distributorship in Owensboro. Businesses and organizations across the state and nation believe allowing Anheuser-Busch to distribute in the area gives it an unfair advantage over local craft breweries.

Kentuckians for Entrepreneurs and Growth spokesperson Elizabeth Post 

“The bill creates a public debate in our legislature about the threat of massive mega-companies and mega-brewers owning or having financial interest in distributorships. But we do hope to see a level of support that other states have seen because it is such an important issue.”

Anheuser-Busch Spokesperson Damon Williams says the bill is an attack on a responsible corporate citizenand would restrict business competition.

Owensboro Representative Jim Glenn has yet to comment on the bill.

A proud native of Murray, Kentucky, Allison grew up roaming the forests of western Kentucky and visiting national parks across the country. She graduated in 2014 from Murray State University where she studied Environmental Sustainability, Television Production, and Spanish. She loves meeting new people, questioning everything, and dancing through the sun and the rain. She hopes to make a positive impact in this world several endeavors at a time.
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