Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Deep Ellum Brewing launches “Operation Six-Pack To Go” to fight unfair beer laws in Texas

Images courtesy of Deep Ellum Brewing Company.

Today, Deep Ellum Brewing Company of Dallas has launched “Operation Six-Pack to Go,” a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to sue the State of Texas in a battle to abolish unfair laws that impact microbrewers.

According to a press release, Deep Ellum has set a goal to raise $100,000 to fund their initiative to force the State of Texas to change the current law. The injustice in question is the unfair and unconstitutional laws that prohibit microbreweries from selling their products on-site for off-premise consumption, most notably six-packs.

“Texas allows every other alcoholic beverage manufacturer – wineries, distilleries, and even brewpubs to sell their products directly to the end consumer for off-premise consumption,” said John Reardon, founder of Deep Ellum Brewing Co. “Microbreweries cannot, and that’s not right. The alcoholic beverage laws in Texas have served special interests, protecting private, rather than public welfare, and it’s time for a change."

“We have taken legal action against our otherwise great state and we are asking craft beer lovers, both near and far, to support this cause,” added Reardon. “We are sorry that legal action is the only way to bring about fairness in an antiquated system that has failed to adapt to the legal, social, and commercial changes of the past 82 years.”

Help set the beer free.

As to why the brewery chose crowdfunding as a way to finance the project, Reardon believes this is a consumer interest lawsuit where the rights of all citizens of Texas (and visitors from beyond) are being unlawfully stifled. “Lawsuits are expensive and we want to make sure we can see this through to a favorable outcome,” added Reardon. "Crowdfunding sends the right message because it comes from the people. It's a way for everyday citizens to pool together the resources needed to challenge powerful lawmakers and deep pocketed lobbyists."

Deep Ellum is asking backers on Indiegogo to join their “Operation Six-Pack to Go” and Help #SueTABC to abolish the unconstitutional laws that unfairly discriminate against the growing number of microbreweries. A link to the campaign can be found at:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/sue-tabc-operation-six-pack-to-go#/story

The brewery has already retained two law firms and several expert witnesses, including the former General Counsel for TABC. The case is being heard in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas Austin Division - Case 1:15-cv-00821. Read the text of the full complaint at:

http://www.deepellumbrewing.com/suetabc/docs/suetabc-complaint.pdf

Update: As of September 17, 2015, Grapevine Craft Brewery has joined the effort. Read the company's statement here:

http://us6.campaign-archive2.com/?u=d4667b59c1bff0a0d0c06092a&id=2a146581ad&e=[UNIQID]

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