Last year Beer Geeks across WV were glued to the State Legislative Proceedings so we could find out if the "craft beer bill" was going to pass. Well, as we all know, it did, and now many of us have went on with our lives and not looked back at the Legislature.

Well, last night I decided to check out the Legislature's website to see what was new under the golden dome. It turns out that there is at least one bill that could effect Mountain State Beer Lovers.

HB 2681 is "A BILL to amend and reenact §11-15-3a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §11-16-13 of said code; and to amend and reenact §11-17-3 of said code, all relating to taxation; eliminating the consumer sales and service tax on food; increasing the tax on nonintoxicating beer per barrel from $5.50 to $6.35; increasing the rate of tax on cigarettes from $0.55 to $1.35; increasing the excise tax on noncigarette tobacco products from seven percent to fourteen percent; and providing for the dedication of $5 million of the revenue for the first year to the Department of Agriculture."

That's right, they want to raise taxes on Beer and Tobacco. Now realistically, if you break down the proposed increase it comes out to less than $0.01 per 12 oz serving, but that is not what bothers me. What I don't like about the bill is that it does not increase the taxes on Wine or Hard Liquor. I understand "sin taxes" and feel that they are necessary, but I think what is good for the beer drinker  is good for the wino.

I also saw a comment on The Liquor Company's (a good beer store in Charleston) Face Book Page that said "trying to get beer samplings passed w/the state during legislation...wish us luck!!" I cant seem to find any info on a bill that proposes this on the Legislature's Website, but I am trying to find more info. This would be awesome if it is happening and it would be worth us starting a letter writing/calling/email campaign to help push it through. I will keep you updated as I find out more, and please, if any of you find out about this, let us know.