Ohio craft breweries toast new state law

12/25/2011

AKRON — Ohio craft brewers hope a new state law will help boost beer tourism by bringing breweries more in line with winery tasting rooms.

The law allows production breweries to open tasting rooms and sell beer by the glass without buying a second, costly permit.

The Akron Beacon Journal says that the annual charge of about $3,900 for that second permit had deterred many small production breweries from opening to the public.

Ohio wineries have not had to pay that charge and have flourished by marketing themselves as tourist destinations.

Owner Chris Verich at Ohio Brewing Co. in Akron says the law marks “a great day for Ohio microbreweries and the Ohio craft brewing industry.”

The bill signed Wednesday by Gov. John Kasich takes effect in 90 days.