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State 'Brewery Day' Success Carries Forward; April 19 Workshop

Multiple state agencies continue working together to help Vermont industries comply with regulations

Montpelier—The Department of Environmental Conservation is building upon the success of a collaborative, multi-agency educational day for Vermont brewers by offering a follow-up workshop this Wednesday, April 19 for brewing industry partners.

Participants in a fully-booked ‘Brewery Day’ event in February praised state officials for working together across agencies to provide a comprehensive “crash course” on industry-specific regulations and considerations for growing a brewery business in Vermont. The proposed next step was to offer a workshop with more detailed regulatory guidance for state regulators, financiers, trade associations, consultants, and other parties that help brewers make business decisions.

The 2017 'Brewery Day' event was at capacity with a wait list. Brewery industry professionals were thirsty for an integrated, comprehensive "crash course" on state regulations pertaining to the craft and business of brewing beer.
The 2017 'Brewery Day' event was at capacity with a wait list. Brewery industry professionals were thirsty for an integrated, comprehensive "crash course" on state regulations pertaining to the craft and business of brewing beer.

“Professionals asked that we continue working across state Agencies and with partners to develop a coordinated and focused approach to regulatory assistance, like that delivered on ‘Brewery Day’,” said Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Emily Boedecker. “This next event is a key step in continuing that dialogue, and considering how the integrated outreach approach can be applied to other industries.” 

The follow-up event, ‘Brewery Regulations and Resources Day,’ is being held this Wednesday, April 19 from 8:30am – 12:00pm in the Pavilion Building in Montpelier. State officials, trade associations, financiers, and consultants will be participating, and any interested stakeholder is welcome to attend. Online registration is available.

‘Brewery Day’ was originally organized by the Department of Environmental Conservation in response to noticeable trends in drinking water and wastewater violations in the brewing industry. Vermont’s brewery industry has boomed in the past decade, growing from six in 2005 to 51 operations today. As breweries grow and expand, it can be difficult to understand when new regulations are triggered.

“Wanting to do the right thing only gets you halfway—you have to know what to do,” said Dan Fulham, CEO of Long Trail Brewing Company, who participated and presented at the Brewery Day event. “When we were growing, we were focused on building our business and didn’t realize how the regulatory requirements differ or increase for larger operations. I’m glad other brewers will understand the process from the start after this event.”

‘Brewery Day’ was the first time officials from the Departments of Economic Development, Liquor Control, Health, Environmental Conservation, and the Natural Resources Board, Vermont Economic Development Authority, and the Vermont Small Business Development Center came together to comprehensively assist the rapidly growing industry.

The Department’s Environmental Assistance Office is experimenting with specialized industry outreach as a comprehensive solution to maximizing resources and supporting Vermont businesses and institutions. The program will be identifying other industry-specific opportunities to apply the successful multi-partner outreach model.

To RSVP to Brewery Regulations and Resources Day, send an email to megan.cousino@vermont.gov or register online.

For more information about the Environmental Assistance Office or to get assistance complying with environmental regulations, visit http://dec.vermont.gov/environmental-assistance/training or call 1-800-974-9559.

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