Doubtful it will pass...sounds about as real of a possibility as the "porn taxes" a few politicians roll out at the state level during re-election season that never go through.

Quote:

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“If that tax is passed it would mean consumers would pay $315 million more (in 2009) to buy the same amount of beer they bought in 2008. A pint of beer would go from $4.50 to $6.”

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They're probably shitty brewers because they don't know their math:
$49.16 proposed tax per Barrel
A 15 gallon keg (What most American beers are made in) is a 1/2 Barrel
There's 100-110 pints of beer in a 15 gallon keg (foam, density, beer loss play a role in the difference though it measures up to 120 pints per keg)

Its not $1.50 proposed per pint, its one-sixth that, only .25 cents based on the 200 pints per Barrel number. Less if you figure the full 240 pints per barrel.

I'm not sure if there would be an actual change in price of most Oregon-produced beers if the tax even passes; hops prices have skyrocketed in the last two years which most Oregon beers focus on. Hops prices have supposedly started falling again (I haven't been in the beer biz for six months now), but I saw a $15 to $20 increase while purchasing high-hops beers the last few years, especially with Oregon beers. It might make a giant difference with shitty $50 Budweiser kegs (if its even made up there) but a lot of Oregon craft beer kegs were in the $120-$150 range for me.

I do love me Rogue Brewing; probably the best brewery outside of San Diego.