Could selling growlers in Indiana be illegal?

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) – Local breweries have been selling their own beer in carryout growlers for years. But due to some licensing conflicts, some of them found out they’ve been breaking the law by doing so.

Lafayette Brewing Company owner Greg Emig said the brewery depends on growler sales.

“We sell about 600 growlers a month,” said Emig.

The company operates under both the Small Brewer’s Permit, which allows them to sell their own beer in store and by carryout. It also has a Riverfront Permit which allows them to sell other companies’ beer, wine and liquor.

However, the Riverfront strictly prohibits any sort of carryout. Emig said if it came down to it, he knows which one he would choose.

“We would be forced to drop our Riverfront Permit in the meantime,” said Emig.

Luckily, for Emig, Indiana Excise Police have not made anyone choose one permit or the other.

“They just want to resolve it, the ATC (Alcohol and Tobacco Commission) wants to resolve it, we want to resolve it. And so that’s why Ron Alting has become involved,” said Emig. “He’s writing the legislation to help clarify this so that we don’t have people holding two permits that conflict.”

Sen. Ron Alting said, “I’ll be carrying a bill to correct that allowing all specialty licenses – Riverfront, Historic, etc. – to be able to have growlers for carryout in the microbreweries, which is real important to small business.”

Small businesses like the Lafayette Brewing Company are grateful for Alting.

“Senator Alting has been very responsive, he understands,” said Emig. “He’s a former restaurant owner, so he has a little bit of empathy for us.”

Sen. Alting also understands alcohol policy. He’s chairman of the Public Policy Committee, which means he controls all alcohol-related bills. He feels confident he can clear this up for LBC and any other brewing company affected.