February 13, 2014 - For the second year in a row, Mississippi River Distilling Company has been working hard to get legislation passed in the state of Iowa to reduce restrictions on Iowa Micro-Distilleries.

WHAT ARE WE ASKING FOR? Essentially, we are looking for the same privileges that Iowa breweries and wineries enjoy.

• We want the ability to sell drinks made with spirits that are manufactured on site. Currently, we are only allowed to serve 2 ounces of free samples per person, per day.

• We are asking to raise the daily retail sales limit to one case. Iowa law limits our retail sales at the distillery to two bottles per person, per day. Iowa breweries, wineries and liquor stores have no sales limits.

This change will allow for more Iowa made products to be sold in our state. That means more tourism dollars, more alcohol tax dollars and more jobs in Iowa. The more we can do to make this industry attractive for Iowa business people, the more we will see the industry grow. The state is a direct beneficiary of increased alcohol sales because of the state tax and distribution system.

There is great interest in hosting events at Iowa distilleries, much like groups do at Iowa breweries and wineries.

This change would open Iowa distilleries to more exposure and tourism opportunities. Many other states, including Illinois, Missouri and Michigan allow for sales of product by the glass and the bottle at microdistilleries. According to the American Distilling Institute, states that allow for retail sales by the glass and bottle saw a 78% growth in the number of microdistilleries in their states from 2011 to 2013. States without these laws saw a 14% increase during the same time period.

TAX REVENUE FOR IOWA

In fiscal year 2012, the Iowa Alcoholic Beverage Division received $6.7 million in revenue from the sale of products made by Iowa microdistilleries. In contrast, Iowa had $7.7 million in total revenue from the sale of every bottle of wine in the state. Beer sales generated nearly $14 million. But hard liquor sales generated over $255 million. Iowa's three largest microdistilleries accounted for 2.3% of that revenue. As the sole distributor of hard liquor in Iowa, the state has as much to gain as any microdistillery from a revenue perspective. Every dollar of profit made from alcohol sales at Iowa microdistilleries generates a dollar of tax revenue for the state of Iowa.

CONSISTENT WITH IOWA LAW

Iowa microdistilleries all work through the current state control of alcohol trafficking in our state. This bill takes steps to maintain the current three-tier system of alcohol trafficking in Iowa. By doing this, the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division will be able to ensure that all taxes are properly assessed when the products are distributed. No tax breaks for the industry are included in this bill. The bill will lead to increased tax revenue for Iowa.

* Iowa distilleries are not allowed to engage in wholesale distribution of spirits.

* All products will be distributed through the Iowa ABD warehouse in Ankeny.

* Product sold for on-premise consumption (by the glass) will be purchased through a "Class E" liquor licensee (Wholesaler), just like every other Iowa bar and restaurant does and therefore maintaining the current system in Iowa.

SUPPORT

This bill has bi-partisan support from our local representatives. Representative Steve Olson (R) is driving the bill in the House. Senator Rita Hart (D) is leading the charge in the Senate. is being supported by the Iowa micro-distilling industry, Iowa Association of Business and Industry, Iowa Corn Growers, Iowa Farm Bureau and the Iowa Restaurant Association.

OPPOSITION

The only registered opposition to the bill has been from the Iowa Wholesale Beer Distributors Association. This is a well organized and well funded lobby that has great influence in Des Moines. Ironically, this organization did not oppose past legislation that opened up these privileges for small Iowa breweries and native Iowa wineries. We are hopeful that through dialogue at our committee hearings we can help our lawmakers and opposition see that this legislation poses no threat to existing business. Instead, it supports small family business, local farms and holds great potential for tourism, tax revenue and jobs in Iowa.

SUMMARY

Micro-distillation is a rapidly growing industry, much like small wineries and microbreweries were 15 to 20 years ago. Iowa's three biggest micro-distilleries, Templeton Rye in Templeton, Mississippi River Distilling Company in LeClaire and Cedar Ridge in Swisher, accounted for over $6.5 million in wholesale liquor sales in Iowa in the last fiscal year. Iowa has an opportunity to encourage significant growth in production and tourism in our state with this legislation.

This law change will boost tourism, create jobs and increase tax revenue in the state of Iowa.

Contact:

Ryan Burchett, Owner/Distiller
Mississippi River Distilling Company
303 North Cody Road
PO Box 801
LeClaire, IA 52753

563-484-4342 Distillery
563-271-0608 Cell
ryan@mrdistilling.com
www.mrdistilling.com

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$70 per couple, tax & gratuity included
$100 per couple with wine or beer, tax & gratuity included
(all the food is made with gluten-free ingredients)

first course: 
shared appetizer plate with housemade crackers, sunflower seed pate, pickled veggies, fresh veggies, & cider mustard with sparkling white wine or Sutliff Cider

second course:
choice of entrees, one per person pasta with "cheesy" winter squash sauce, sundried tomatoes, olives, greens, and portobellos or spinach polenta with roasted winter veggies, lemon-balamic tempeh, herb aioli, & fried sage with Boujelais Blanc or Pale Ale, TBD

third course:
shared dessert of flourless chocolate cake with berries & mousse with Boujelais Nouveau or Stout, TBD

Treat your sweetheart to a magical night; or make memories with friends!  Don't forget to make a reservation because Valentine's is one of our busiest times of the year.  Give us a call at 319-248-0077.

Rock Island, IL. Bent River Brewing Co. began 2014 on an unexpected high note. Their Flagship Brew, the Uncommon Stout, was awarded a gold medal in the 2013 International Craft Awards Competition. General Manager, Nick Bowes, submitted the brewery in the summer of 2013 and was informed shortly after New Years of their achievement. This marks the beginning of what will undoubtedly be a successful year for the local company.

Bent River Brewing Co. started brewing for the Quad Cities in 1997 in downtown Moline and the beer was so popular that the demand grew and so did they. The second location was opened in early 2012 at 512 - 24th Street in Rock Island and is the main distribution hub, where all the bottled and kegged beer is packaged and sent out into now three states; Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

So much of their success is due to the Uncommon Stout; Bent River sells twice as much of the coffee-infused oatmeal stout over any of their other beers. This is why it was the one chosen to be submitted into the competition.

The brewery found out about the opportunity through an advertisement on the Brewer's Association website - a page for those in the trade - and submitted the brew that has made Bent River a household name in the Quad Cities Area. Bent River is always looking for ways it could spread its name and great beers nationwide, welcoming creative avenues as well as the unexpected. Last year, for example, they sent out 45 pallets of product to a beer of the month club that then shipped its wares all over the country to participating members.

The International Craft Awards Competition, based out of Los Angeles, California, claims the upmost respect and standards for their judging process. In the email Bent River received, they were informed of their award and how it was decided:

"Our credible process is executed by two dozen respected and influential judges, ensuring competitive integrity in selecting beer to be awarded. Beers are scored on a 100 point scale, evaluated on dozens of characteristics (i.e., appearance, taste, aromatics, flavor, mouthfeel and finish) over a multilevel blind tasting procedure."

The beloved, local brew that has taken on the Quad Cities by storm is already nearing regional status, if Bent River Brewing Co. keeps up the good work, the sky just may truly be the limit.

Make sure to join us for our Kid's Cooking Class from 2pm until 3:30pm on Sunday, February 9th. Also, our Couple's Cooking Class is from 6pm until 8pm on the same day.

Call 563-659-0770 for more details.