Olympia, WA — The Washington Brewers Guild today voiced strong opposition to House Bill 2079, a proposal that would nearly double the beer excise tax rate for most breweries operating in the state. The bill would raise the overall tax rate by 100% on small breweries producing less than 60,000 barrels annually.
“This bill is a direct threat to Washington’s small, independent breweries,” said Daniel Olson, Executive Director of the Washington Brewers Guild. “It imposes a massive tax increase on businesses that are already facing rising costs, harmful tariffs, shifting consumer habits, and slow post-pandemic recovery. This proposal punishes local producers and threatens jobs across the state.”
HB 2079 doesn’t just raise taxes on breweries – it raises costs for consumers and threatens the broader ecosystem that supports Washington’s craft beer industry. From local farmers and suppliers to taproom staff and food vendors, the impact of this proposal would ripple far beyond brewery walls. By driving up production costs, HB 2079 will lead to higher prices at the tap and on store shelves—hurting not only small businesses, but the communities and customers that support them.
The Guild notes that Washington’s 400+ breweries provide more than 12,000 direct and indirect jobs, support local agriculture, attract tourism, and help anchor communities in both urban and rural areas.
“Small breweries like ours are not large corporations” said Robyn Schumacher, co-owner of Stoup Brewing in Seattle. “We’re more than producers of beer, we are neighborhood employers, community hubs, and proud contributors to our local economy. Many of us are struggling with razor thin margins already and HB 2079 would force us to raise prices to a point that would alienate customers, cut staff, or shut our doors entirely.”
The Washington Brewers Guild urges lawmakers to reject HB 2079 and work toward fair, sustainable tax policy that supports small business and creates jobs.
