Craft Brewers Hope Statewide Beer Commission Will Boost Sales

Wisconsin’s brewers are hopeful that a proposed state beer commission could strengthen their industry as a whole.

Pearl Street Brewery in La Crosse is one of the state’s 87 breweries that could get a boost from the proposed Wisconsin Beer Commission.

Historically, the different players in the state’s beer industry haven’t always worked together. Wholesalers and big brewers like Miller and small breweries like Pearl Street have different interests.

Pearl Street Brewmaster Joe Katchever says the proposed Wisconsin Beer Commission could finally bring everyone together.

“Local beer, it’s so far been promoted individually, so each brewery is promoting its own brewery,” Katchever said. “I think with this as a collective effort, all the breweries, all the small breweries in Wisconsin can speak with one voice and speak a little bit louder and shout out, ‘Hey, we’ve got some great beer for you people to try.’”

Craft breweries would make up the majority of the seven-member commission. It would operate under the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection.

State Rep. Gary Tauchen (R) is putting the final touches on legislation that would create the commission.

“We can be the Napa Valley of Wisconsin beer,” Tauchen said. “We should really do something about the beer industry, to help promote it and create jobs in the state of Wisconsin. It will help tremendously with tourism.”

The bill would also create a Wisconsin beer booth or pavilion at the State Fair. In the past, it’s been too expensive for craft brewers to sell their beer at the state fair and many have felt shut out.