Virginia Breweries Get A Break

Virginia has a history of supporting and promoting her wine industry. Virginia breweries are often treated like the red-headed step child. However, this week Governor McDonnell signed two recently passed bills in support of Virginia brewers.

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell signed into law two pieces of legislation aimed at helping Virginia-based brewers. 

House Bill 359 lets established brewers lease space to start-up and small scale beer brewers. Senate Bill 604 allows for retail sales and sampling on the premises of Virginia breweries. 

"The legislation signed today will make it easier for our breweries to serve as destinations for potential customers and allow some of our talented small-scale brewers to lease space from established brewers and overcome some of the significant start-up costs," McDonnell said at the signing ceremony, held at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery in Richmond.

Read the complete story at "New Virginia laws to help craft beer brewers."

More on Senate Bill 604 here.

Jeff Fitzpatrick, president of Blue & Gray Brewing Co. and Gov. Bob McDonnell at the signing.
Photo courtesy of Fredericksburg Business Insider's Facebook page.