AUSTIN, Texas -- Beer lovers are toasting to a victory on the Texas House floor after lawmakers voted to extend beer and wine sales on Sundays and to let craft breweries sell beer to go.
- New expansions part of broad TABC legislation
- Would allow people to buy beer to go from breweries
- Also would extend retail purchasing hours on Sundays
The expansions were added to a broader piece of legislation dealing with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. It's reason to celebrate for local brewers like the people at Austin Beerworks who say every day, they have to say, 'No' when asked by patrons if they can buy some beer to go.
"And they say, 'Well, what? Are you kidding?'" said owner Adam DeBower.
Texas is the only state in the country where a brewery patron can't take home a six-pack of their favorite craft beer when they leave.
"When every other type of alcohol industry member gets to enjoy rights that you don't, then there's obviously something about the system that at its basis, is not fair." -- Adam DeBower, Austin Beerworks.
DeBower has been fighting for years to get the rules changed. He thought a bipartisan pair of bills would do the trick this session. But when those didn't get a hearing, the author of the legislation, Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, slipped it in as an amendment to a broader bill dealing with the operations of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
"It was not moving to the point where he felt like he could pass it, and this was his opportunity, and he took the opportunity," said Rep. Chris Paddie, R-Marshall, who authored the TABC Sunset bill.
Rep. Paddie eventually accepted his House colleague's contribution, leading to craft brewers across the state toasting to being one step closer to selling their goods to go.
"It's a day for consumers to really be proud and really be excited," said DeBower.
Another successful amendment that got added in the eleventh hour was by Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster. It extends Sunday beer and wine sales. Consumers would be able to buy at 10 a.m. on Sundays instead of noon in licensed retailers like grocery stores. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.