Nebraska’s local breweries could increase self distribution to 5,000 barrels per year under new bill

There were five hours of testimony Monday between Nebraska craft breweries and beer distributors. Brewers from across the state traveled to Lincoln saying they should be able to sell directly to bars and grocery stores. But beer industry lobbyists don’t want to see it happen. In Nebraska, there’s a middleman between beer and the table. Brewers are required to sell to a distributor who then sells their product to the larger market. Last year, legislation was passed to allow local breweries to self-distribute for the first time. Sen. Tony Vargas wants to increase the limit on self-distribution from 250 to 5,000 barrels per year, a number that’s still less than surrounding states.