Craft beer self-distribution refresher: Does your state make the list?

As beneficial as a distributor relationship can be, for the small, local craft brewer just getting off the ground, self-distribution is the optimal route to take.

But what will your state allow? That’s the $1 million question – or rather the 60,000 barrel (bbl) question – as many states divide up self-distribution privileges by production size. These distinctions are often the same as the state’s definition for “craft brewery,” but even those parameters are sub-divided into smaller amounts allowed for self-distribution.

For a refresher, here is the list of states that have evolved since Prohibition and allow for some self-distribution from small producers. Thanks to the Brewers Association for the complete 50 state round-up

YES to SELF

Alaska (unlimited)

Arkansas (brewers producing up to 60,000 bblsannually)

Arizona (up to 3,000 bbl under 20,000 bbl production cap; unlimited to same-ownership outlets)

California (No restrictions on production size or on-premise [brewpubs])

Colorado (up to 300,000 gallons per calendar year.)

Connecticut

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois (A craft brewer licensee, set at less than 465,000 gallons of beer annually, may self-distribute up to 232,500 gallons per year.)

Indiana (only brewers producing up to 30,000 bbls annually)

Iowa

Maine

Massachusetts

Minnesota (only brewers producing up to 25,000 bbls annually)

Montana (a brewer producing up to 60,000 bbls of beer annually).

New Hampshire (brewers producing less than 15,000 bbls can sell up to 5,000 bbls. For brewpubs it is 2,500 bbls).

New Jersey (brewers producing up to 300,000 bbls annually)

New Mexico

New York (distributors permit allows for self distribution up to a capacity of 60,000 bbl. annually. For a brew pub the distribution limit is 3,000 bbl. per year.