Bill would allow small breweries to attend beer fests without new fees

Wisconsin lawmakers are proposing a bill to ease restrictions on out-of-state craft breweries. The new legislation would allow small, out-of-state breweries to participate in festivals without the permit. MADISON - A group of lawmakers is trying to make it easier for out-of-state craft breweries to attend Wisconsin beer fests, after changes to the state's liquor laws caused a prohibitive increase in costs. The proposed legislation would allow beer festivals to receive limited quantities of beer from small, out-of-state breweries for on-site consumption, without the shipper's permit, according to the co-sponsorship memo. Hesselbein said she attended Great Taste in Madison last year and noticed fewer small craft breweries appearing alongside the larger companies.