A few weeks ago we broke down Governor Inslee's proposed tax on beer production. Washington's beer community has been waging an admirable grassroots campaign against the tax, which culminated last Friday in a protest on the front steps of the Capitol Building. Tacoma's Joe Korbuszewski helped organize the rally and chatted with us about the experience.

TOWN HALL TOURIST: How was the rally? How many people attended and did you feel it was effective?

JOE KORBUSZEWSKI: The rally went really well.  We had about 160 people show up consisting of brewers, brewery workers, bartenders, distributors, and beer lovers.  I feel really good about that number considering that we only had about a week to plan and it was pouring rain that morning.  

I'd say it was definitely effective.  As a citizen, you can send all the emails you want to your lawmakers, but you start to wonder if they actually read them after the third or fourth auto-response.  Bringing a group of people to their doorstep is a lot harder to ignore.  We were immediately greeted by news media and a dozen or so state lawmakers came outside to speak with us. 

THT: Were beer advocates able to meet with legislators? Were you or others able to meet with any of the Tacoma coalition?

KORBUSZEWSKI: Senate was in session while we were there but we were able to meet many different representatives from all over the state.  They came outside to meet us on the steps and spoke in support of the brewing industry. Unfortunately, I was not able to meet with any of my representatives.? It was all pretty surreal.  I've never planned or organized anything like this and suddenly, there I was shaking hands with our lawmakers on the steps of the Capitol. 

THT: Which people, businesses, companies are leading in the organizing of advocacy efforts?

KORBUSZEWSKI: The Washington State Brewers Guild is at the forefront of this movement and is supported by The Washington Restaurant Association, Hop Growers, The Washington Beer and Wine Distributors Association and many other groups. ... not to mention every brewery in the state. 

THT: What besides the rally have folks been doing to try to lobby legislators?

KORBUSZEWSKI: We've been urging everyone to contact their legislators as well as the Governor.  The Washington Beer Blog has done a great job getting information out to the public regarding the possible effects that this tax increase could have, as well as publishing statements from many of our states brewers.

THT: Do you know where the bills are currently and if it is expected that they will make it through the legislative process?

KORBUSZEWSKI: I understand that the bill is still in committee and our legislators are ironing out the final budget proposal.  From what I've been told, there is not a good chance for this tax to make it past the senate floor and I hope that holds true.