Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) has cosponsored bipartisan legislation to help boost Minnesota's small craft breweries. The Small BREW Act would cut the federal excise tax on small craft breweries in half on their first 60,000 barrels, helping fuel job creation and boosting local economies. Minnesota is home to more than 60 craft breweries, which help support a number of farmers, granaries, millers and other small businesses.

"Minnesota's craft breweries aren't just serving up world-class beers — they're also brewing up middle-class jobs," Klobuchar said. "These small breweries contribute to their local economies, and we should be doing everything we can to help them thrive. Our bipartisan bill would reduce the tax burden on these businesses to help ensure there will be more good jobs and new breweries on tap all across our state."

Under current federal law, breweries that produce fewer than 2 million barrels a year pay $7 per barrel in federal excise taxes on the first 60,000 barrels, and $18 per barrel on every additional barrel. Under the Small BREW Act, the rate would be $3.50 per barrel on the first 60,000 barrels; $16 per barrel for production between 60,001 and 2 million barrels; and $18 per barrel from there up to 6 million barrels. The legislation was introduced by Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine).