Beer lovers rejoice. This week the Senate, following the lead of the House of Representatives, announced the formation of the Senate Small Brewers Caucus.
Leading the bipartisan effort were Sens. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Max Baucus, D-Mont. who, in the announcement, downplayed the whole craft beer thing and talked more about jobs.
The reason? Well, for one, Sen. Crapo doesn’t drink. He’s a practicing member of the LDS church so he abstains from alcohol. “I wish the answer was more exciting than ‘he’s Mormon,’ but at least it’s simple,” press secretary Mandi Critchfield said.
Baucus, who’s a fan of Blackfoot IPA from his hometown of Helena and also Bayern Pilsner from Missoula, has had to bat down headlines like, “Drunk with Power? Top Dem Slurs on Senate Floor.” This appeared after the Montana Democrat gave a bizarre pro-healthcare reform speech on the floor in December 2009. At the time, Baucus’ spokesman called the reporting an “unfounded, untrue personal smear internet rumor” at the time. An aide wouldn’t comment additionally on it Tuesday.
In their statements, Baucus and Crapo outlined the positive impact the craft brewing industry had on their states.
“Montana’s small brewers don’t just make great beer out of the best Montana grains — they also support good-paying Montana jobs,” Baucus said.
“While advocating for the excise tax relief bill, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with many of Idaho’s small craft brewers and heard firsthand from local entrepreneurs about the opportunities for economic growth and job creation that the industry can provide,” Crapo said in his. “This caucus will provide Senators with a better understanding of all aspects of small brewing and the positive impact it has on their communities.”
The House of Representatives formed their Small Brewers Caucus in 2007.
