Oregon Public Broadcasting

The first hearing on a proposal to increase Oregon’s beer tax drew overflow crowds in Salem Monday.

Craft brewers, wholesalers and hops farmers packed a hearing room to protest a bill that would increase the tax on a pint of beer by around 15 cents.

Jamie Floyd of Ninkasi Brewing in Eugene says the tax would hurt small-scale brewers like himself.

Jamie Floyd: “All of our revenue gets put back into the business.  We do not make a big salary and do not give giant end of the year bonuses like those on Wall Street.  We take our profits and pay off our debts and use revenue to grow our business, not our wallets.  This tax proposal would completely hinder the growth we’ve experienced.”

Supporters of the bill say at less-than-a-penny a drink, Oregon’s current beer tax is among the lowest in the nation.

They say the money would help fund drug and alcohol treatment programs.  Recent attempts to raise the beer tax in Salem have gone nowhere.

The hearing will continue on Wednesday.

Online:

Oregon House Bill 2461