California Senate approves legislation allowing beer drinkers to refill their own containers at breweries; current law only allows breweries to sell growlers that have a label from that brewery

Nevin Barich

SACRAMENTO, California , August 27, 2013 (Associated Press) – LEGISLATURE ALLOWS BEER LOVERS TO REFILL THEIR 'GROWLERS' FROM DIFFERENT VENDORS, BREWERIES

Beer lovers would be able to refill their own containers at breweries under legislation approved by the state Senate.

Lawmakers unanimously approved AB647 by Democratic Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro of Arcata on Monday.

Sen. Steve Knight, a Republican from Palmdale who carried the bill in the Senate, said it clarifies labeling requirements "so that consumers can use their growlers to purchase craft beer from any microbrewery," regardless of where they bought it.

Growlers are glass canisters that typically hold a half-gallon of beer.

Current law only allows breweries to sell growlers that have a label from that brewery. Chesbro's bill would let consumers return the growlers to other breweries or bring their own.

Brewers would still have to paste a label on the canister identifying the beer.

AB647 returns to the Assembly for a final vote on amendments.

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