ND Senate Bill 2284 was submitted and has the brewers and beer distributors talking, and so far they all seem to like the bill which is encouraging. The bill would create a brewer taproom license that would let companies produce up to 25,000 barrels of beer a year and also let the brewer distribute up to 10,000 barrels themselves using their own staff and equipment to retailers within 150 miles of the brewery. The ND Beer Distributors Association seems to be in favor of the bill as their spokesperson indicates that the bill helps the new and smaller breweries who once they grow, will then need the help of the distributors.
FMBeer.com will definitely follow the progress of this bill as will the breweries in the state and when the time comes to contact your local representatives, you will find that information here.
Text of ND SB 2285 – link
Bismarck Tribune article with audio clips – link
BusinessWeek article – link