Yankee Brew News Archive

Massachusetts Brewers Form Association

Originally Published: 07/95

At a recent meeting held at Redbones in Somerville, representatives from a majority of Massachusetts' craft breweries agreed to form the Massachusetts Brewers Association. The group's purpose will be to maintain the high standards of the brewing arts, to educate the general public about local beer, to explore the possibility of common buying and common insurance purchases, and lastly, to reform state legislation pertaining to the industry. "We all have common goals," said Chris O'Connor, the Association's treasurer, "it's great to be able to sit down with everyone in the industry and work for the common good."

Officers elected during the meeting were; President, Paul Sylva (Ipswich Brewing Company); Tod Mott, Vice President (Commonwealth Brewing Company, Ltd.); Chris O'Connor, Treasurer (Northampton Brewing Company) and Kathy Enright, Secretary (Ipswich Brewing Company)

A legislative committee was formed to deal specifically with state regulatory problems besetting the small brewing industry. According to Enright, Massachusetts ABCC Chairman Stuart Krusell has expressed an interest in working closely with the legislative committee on issues affecting the industry. Don Gosselin, an attorney and publisher of Yankee Brew News, had an opportunity to address the group and suggested that the law preventing on-premise beer tastings be the first target for legislative reform. Gosselin offered to lend legal assistance to the group in its legislative efforts.

The Massachusetts Brewers Association urges all present and future members of the Massachusetts craft brewing industry to join the Association. Interested parties should contact Secretary Kathy Enright at the Ipswich Brewing Company.