Vt. bill would OK direct shipment of craft brews

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — In Vermont, a hotbed of craft beer brewing, lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow brewers to ship their beer directly to consumers to expand their markets and reach their niche customers nationwide.

The state already allows wineries to ship wine directly to consumers after changing the law, but beer shipments are illegal. That means beer aficionados who want to sample some of Vermont’s artisan craft beers either have to come to the state to buy it or purchase it online illegally. Allowing breweries to ship beer would cut down on some of that, brewers say.