Senator Joni Ernst visits Boone as part of her 99 County tour.
Ernst toured Boone Valley Brewing Company in Boone Tuesday night. Jon Crook founded company five years ago.
?About 16 or 17 years ago it started in the garage. Fast forward to 2010, when the laws changed in the Iowa which allowed us to brew higher proof beer, it really paved the way for breweries in Iowa. We opened in 2012 and have been going strong ever since.?
Boone Valley Brewing Company distributes beer to 53 counties across the state. You can find their product in 79 grocery stores. But every business faces challenges, Crook says theirs is a level playing field.
?We need to make sure we?re treated fairly compared to wineries and distilleries and want the retailers to be aware of what we have.?
Senator Ernst recently co-sponsored Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden?s Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act.
?It is really important for them, as well as, watching those regulations and making sure we are doing the right thing to encourage development in this industry in Iowa.?
Crook says this bill cuts their federal excise tax for beer. For every dollar, they save in taxes it generates 11 dollars in revenue.
