Luzerne County (Pa.) Delegation Visits Susquehanna Brewing Company
HARRISBURG, PA (May 2, 2017) – The Brewers of Pennsylvania (BOP), the state’s official beer guild, was pleased and honored to host Sen. John Yudichak, Rep. Mike Carroll, and Rep. Aaron Kaufer at the latest Brewer For A Day event held at Susquehanna Brewing Company (SBC) in Pittston, Pa. on May, 2. This was the BOP’s sixth successful Brewer For A Day event, an initiative designed to give state legislators a hands-on, insider’s perspective on the brewing process, as well as further educate Pennsylvania Senators and Representatives on the direct economic impact craft brewers have on communities throughout the state.
The Luzerne County Delegation received an up-close brewing experience where they weighed hops, analyzed malts, learned about the fermentation process, and engaged with the state-of-the-art automation that helps SBC brewers produce some of Pennsylvania’s finest craft beers.
“We were honored to have Senator Yudichak and Representatives Carroll and Kaufer visit Susquehanna Brewing Company,” said Fred Maier, SBC’s Co-Founder and Vice President. “Their commitment to Pennsylvania citizens was clear by them taking the time to learn more about the state’s craft beer industry in Luzerne County and beyond. I look forward to working with the Luzerne County Delegation on issues important to the success of craft brewing.”
Rep. Carroll, Pa. District 118, serves Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties.
“I’m always eager to highlight the successes of our area’s small businesses such as Susquehanna Brewing,” said Representative Carroll. “Not only is this business thriving, but the award-winning beer being produced has quickly become a very popular product throughout the mid-Atlantic region of the United States.”
Sen. Yudichak, Pa. District 14, serves Carbon and Luzerne Counties
“Craft breweries are opening across Pennsylvania, but particularly, in northeastern Pennsylvania where these entrepreneurs are driving revitalization in cities and towns and creating much needed jobs,” said Senator Yudichak. “I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the Susquehanna Brewing Company’s operation, and I will continue to work with them and other craft breweries in my district to protect and expand this unique industry in the region.”
Rep. Kaufer, Pa. District 120, serves Luzerne County.
“With craft beer becoming a popular commodity in recent years, I am grateful to have had the opportunity of an inside look on production at the Susquehanna Brewing Company in Pittston,” said Representative Kaufer. “It’s great to have breweries and small businesses, like SBC, in our area respond to a growing trend – in this case craft beer – so that people don’t have to drive far distances to a city. It is heartening to see the strong entrepreneurial spirit of our area creating jobs and expanding opportunities throughout Luzerne County and the Commonwealth.”
The Luzerne County Delegation took part in the sixth Brewer For A Day event. The BOP and its members will take advantage of the popularity of the Brewer For A Day program by hosting many more events throughout 2017. Sen. Rafferty, Pa. District 44, was the first legislator to take part in this fun and informative program. Senator Rafferty visited Victory Brewing Company in Downingtown on August 15. Rep. Kurt Masser, Pa. District 107, was the second legislator to serve as Brewer For A Day. Rep. Masser visited Old Forge Brewing Company in Danville on September 29. Sen. Sean Wiley, Pa. District 49, was the third legislator to participate. Sen. Wiley visited Lavery Brewing Company in Erie on October 5.
Rep. Harry Lewis Jr., Pa. District 74, was the BOP’s fourth Brewer For A Day. Rep. Lewis visited Victory Brewing Company in Downingtown on October 14. Rep. Adam Harris, Pa. District 82, and Rep. Paul Costa, Pa. 34 (Chairmen of the Pennsylvania House Liquor Control Committee) visited Victory Brewing Company in Parkesburg on November 17.
In July, 2016, Pennsylvania Governor, Tom Wolf, signed a $1.3 billion revenue package. Part of that package included a Malt Beverage Tax Credit not to exceed $5 million annually. The tax credit, matching equipment and facilities investments made by applicant breweries, has been one of the BOP’s top legislative goals since 2013. The BOP fully supports this tax credit measure, and considers it a major victory for all craft breweries in the Commonwealth, particularly smaller breweries as the benefits of the measure is capped at $200,000 per year, per brewery.
