New law lets KS breweries sell directly to liquor stores

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Local beer makers and sellers are calling a new Kansas law a win.

Starting Monday, July 1, microbreweries in the state can now self-distribute their own beer and allow licensees to sell hard cider. KSNT 27 News talked to the owner of Blind Tiger, Jay Ives, in Topeka on the new changes.

He said they don't have plans to start canning or bottling their beer, but that the new state law is great for the small-town brewers that do.

"We participated in the effort to get it passed because of all our brother brewers all over Kansas," Ives said. "This is definitely a win for the small breweries in Kansas."

Ives said that Sean Wilcott was one of the leaders in pushing for the new law. Wilcott gave 27 News a tour of Wilcott Brewing and said how great the change will be for businesses like his.

"This law change, there was over 40 breweries throughout the state that engaged with it this year," Wilcott said. "So this is a topic that the entire industry really was striving for. This is our opportunity now to take our products direct to the customers that are looking to buy those."

Liquor stores also say it will be good for business, and for beer drinkers.

"We're super excited because our local breweries produce a very good product," Bryan McDonald, owner of Fleming Place Wine & Spirits said," and to get it more readily available to consumers is a great thing."

With the law just going into effect on July 1, beer drinkers can expect to start seeing more locally made beer in liquor stores and restaurants in just a few weeks.

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