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Big Grove Brewery in Omaha is lobbying for a change in Nebraska liquor laws that would allow the company to offer a wider range of beverages, similar to their four locations in Iowa. After the taproom’s delayed opening last fall, Big Grove can only serve the beers it makes on site. Big Grove, which chose UNMC’s EDGE District development as their first location outside of Iowa, intended to offer a full drink menu, but was denied the liquor license that would’ve allowed that. The Nebraska Liquor Control Commission said Big Grove produces too much beer in Iowa to qualify for a retail license.”It seems like every table will say, ‘Hey, can I get a Carbliss or a vodka soda?'” said Mike Wehr, the chief operation officer.Big Grove is turning to Nebraska lawmakers to make a change. Legislative Bill 1151, sponsored by Stan Clouse of Kearney, will have a hearing on Monday afternoon.The proposed bill would create a retail liquor license category for craft breweries considered “regional” in size, similar to the one for smaller breweries. Kent Rogert, a lobbyist hired by Big Grove, argues that Nebraska’s law is meant to stop huge companies like Budweiser from running all over small brewers in Nebraska, not to prevent a company like Big Grove’s from choosing Nebraska as an expansion site.”Big Grove kind of took a misstep in coming, thinking they could have the retail license, and now we’re just going to try and open it up,” Rogert told KETV. “We want people from out of state to come to Nebraska.” Wehr, though, said Big Grove doesn’t regret choosing Omaha. “We’ve seen our brand grow significantly since we opened our doors here,” he said.Wehr says they hope changing Nebraska law won’t be necessary. The company also appealed the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission’s ruling. A hearing is set for next month.A handful of other beer-related legislative hearings are on tap for Monday afternoon. Another, Nebraska State Senator Tanya Storer’s Legislative Bill 1115, would exempt microbreweries from contract requirements with distributors. She said it would put microbreweries in a “fair” negotiating position.
Big Grove Brewery in Omaha is lobbying for a change in Nebraska liquor laws that would allow the company to offer a wider range of beverages, similar to their four locations in Iowa.
After the taproom’s delayed opening last fall, Big Grove can only serve the beers it makes on site.
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Big Grove, which chose UNMC’s EDGE District development as their first location outside of Iowa, intended to offer a full drink menu, but was denied the liquor license that would’ve allowed that. The Nebraska Liquor Control Commission said Big Grove produces too much beer in Iowa to qualify for a retail license.
“It seems like every table will say, ‘Hey, can I get a Carbliss or a vodka soda?'” said Mike Wehr, the chief operation officer.
Big Grove is turning to Nebraska lawmakers to make a change. Legislative Bill 1151, sponsored by Stan Clouse of Kearney, will have a hearing on Monday afternoon.
The proposed bill would create a retail liquor license category for craft breweries considered “regional” in size, similar to the one for smaller breweries.
Kent Rogert, a lobbyist hired by Big Grove, argues that Nebraska’s law is meant to stop huge companies like Budweiser from running all over small brewers in Nebraska, not to prevent a company like Big Grove’s from choosing Nebraska as an expansion site.
“Big Grove kind of took a misstep in coming, thinking they could have the retail license, and now we’re just going to try and open it up,” Rogert told KETV. “We want people from out of state to come to Nebraska.”
Wehr, though, said Big Grove doesn’t regret choosing Omaha.
“We’ve seen our brand grow significantly since we opened our doors here,” he said.
Wehr says they hope changing Nebraska law won’t be necessary. The company also appealed the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission’s ruling. A hearing is set for next month.
A handful of other beer-related legislative hearings are on tap for Monday afternoon. Another, Nebraska State Senator Tanya Storer’s Legislative Bill 1115, would exempt microbreweries from contract requirements with distributors. She said it would put microbreweries in a “fair” negotiating position.
