By: Brett Blume
Smaller craft breweries would gain a competitive edge against the big boys under a bill supported by Senator Claire McCaskill.
The Missouri Democrats are backing the Small Brew Act, explaining it's all about taxation.
"And there is a disincentive to grow a small brewery, because of very onerous tax burden that kicks into place that really taxes you as if you were a Anheuser Busch or Miller," says McCaskill.
The measure would lower the excise tax on the first 60,000 barrels of beer produced from $7 to 350 a barrel, helping start-ups keep more money and expand operations.
Over the past five years, nearly 50 new craft breweries have opened in Missouri.