Senator Kelly, Mayor Harkins Testify in Support of Provision Aiding Breweries

From left to right: Two Roads Brewing Company Partner Peter Doering, Senator Kevin Kelly, Stratford Mayor John Harkins, and Two Roads Brewing Company Partner Brad Hittle.

Hartford – State Senator Kevin C. Kelly (R-21) and Stratford Mayor John Harkins testified before the General Assembly’s General Law Committee [PDF] in support of Section 4 of HB 5021, An Act Concerning Competitive Alcoholic Liquor Pricing And Hours Of Operation For Permittees on Tuesday, February 28th.

“In my hometown of Stratford we are getting ready to welcome Two Roads Brewing Company into our town,” said Senator Kelly in prepared remarks. “Two Roads is a recently formed Connecticut company that intends to produce high quality craft beers to participate in the rapidly growing craft beer segment of the United States beer industry. We are extremely excited about their investment, and looking forward to the creation of 70 jobs in our community.”

Section 4 would ultimately allow breweries to “sell their craft beer to wholesalers, produce beer brewed under contract and sell it back to brewery clients in and out of state, offer visitor tours with a sample of their product, sell a glass of beer to visitors to enjoy, or sell beer by the package to customers to share at home.”

Stratford Mayor John Harkins, left, and Senator Kevin Kelly, right, testifying before the General Law Committee with Two Roads Brewing Company Partners Peter Doering and Brad Hittle in the background.

“In order for Two Roads Brewery to effectively implement their business plan they are seeking a legislative change to existing state statutes,” said Mayor Harkins in testimony. “Because of the larger scale of the Two Roads Brewery, and the amount of investment involved, it is critical that Two Roads Brewing be able to grow quickly by launching several beer brands for sale within Connecticut and for interstate commerce and to build a loyal consumer base from patrons visiting the brewery’s tasting room as part of a unique brewery experience.”

“Supporting this aspect of the Governor’s bill will enable microbreweries such as Two Roads, to enjoy the same benefits we accord to wineries,” concluded Senator Kelly. “It will allow them to give tours of the facility, tastes of their product and the sale of sealed containers to be taken home.”

Senator Kelly and Mayor Harkins were joined at the public hearing by Brad Hittle and Peter Doering, Partners of the Two Roads Brewing Company.