Kentucky brewers want legislation to allow them to sell directly to bars and restaurants

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky breweries want to eliminate the middle man and sell their own beer to restaurants and bars.

The Kentucky Guild of Brewers is pushing legislators to pass a bill making contracts that are fair to microbreweries.

Breweries want to be able to sell and distribute a limited supply — only 2,500 barrels — on their own to retail accounts like bars and restaurants. Right now, 100% of their product has to go through a distributor.

The bill is expected to be filed when Kentucky lawmakers return to Frankfort in February.