Gov. Greg Abbott on June 15 signed into law House Bill 1545, which allows beer-to-go sales for craft breweries in the state of Texas.
The bill also extends the operations of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and reduces regulations on the beer and wine industry.
The governor hosted the bill signing at Austin Beerworks and took part in a brewery tour following the signing ceremony.
Abbott was joined at the bill signing by Reps. Chris Paddie, Eddie Rodriguez, Sens. Brian Birdwell, Kirk Watson and Dawn Buckingham and several stakeholders from the beer and wine industry.
“Today’s signing is a major win for the freedom and economic prosperity for which Texas has become known,” Abbott said. “It is no secret that the Lone Star State is one of the best states for business and entrepreneurship, and House Bill 1545 plays an important role in maintaining this by ensuring our beverage industry is free of stifling regulations. I am grateful to the legislators and stakeholders here today who played a vital role in getting this legislation to my desk.”
The Texas Craft Brewers Guild said the legislation represents the “most comprehensive, positive reform to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code in a generation, serving the entire industry, from the brewer down to the consumer. With this victory, we’ll become the final state in the country to legalize beer-to-go sales from manufacturing craft breweries and take a giant step forward in the fight to fix Texas beer laws.”
