State Rep. Malagari Becomes Brewer For A Day

The Brewers of Pennsylvania (BOP), the state’s official beer guild, was pleased and honored to host Representative Steve Malagari at the latest Brewer For A Day event held at Round Guys Brewing Company in Lansdale on Oct. 14. This was the BOP’s twentieth successful Brewer For A Day event, an initiative designed to give state legislators and government officials a hands-on, insider’s perspective on the brewing process, as well as further educate them on the direct economic impact craft brewers have on communities throughout the state.

Rep. Malagari received an up-close brewing experience where he toured the brewery, weighed hops, analyzed malts, and learned of the brewing system that helps Round Guys produce some of Pennsylvania’s finest craft beers.

“I always enjoy these Brewer For A Day experiences, because they really afford us the opportunity to connect with our legislators, and show them all that we do,” said Scott Rudich, Owner/Head Brewer of Round Guys Brewing. “We are leaders in our community, we employ a lot of people, and we consistently reinvest in the business and the community. Getting a chance to personally show our elected representatives all of that is important.”

According to the Brewers Association, a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, Pennsylvania ranks as the number-one producer of barrels of craft beer per year (3.7 million). The craft beer industry in the Commonwealth injects $5.78 billion into the state’s economy while supplying more than 10,000 jobs, which generates $2.2 billion in wages and benefits annually.

“Our district is a hotspot for breweries, and we have a fantastic craft beer scene in the area,” said Malagari. “Before becoming a state representative, I worked in the beverage industry on the wholesale distribution end, and now sitting on the Liquor Committee in Harrisburg, I’m passionate about advocating for brewers across the state. Being a Brewer For A Day gave me a new insight to the industry, and to the amazing work that Scott and his team do at Round Guys Brewery. I have a renewed appreciation for their hard work and their investment in our community!”

Rep. Malagari took part in the twentieth Brewer For A Day event. The BOP and its members will take advantage of the popularity of the Brewer For A Day program by hosting more events throughout 2019 and 2020. Legislators and government officials who have participated in previous Brewer For A Day programs include:  

•           Sen. John Rafferty, Pa. District 44 - Victory Brewing Company in Downingtown
•           Rep. Kurt Masser, Pa. District 107 - Old Forge Brewing Company in Danville
•           Sen. Sean Wiley, Pa District 49 - Lavery Brewing Company in Erie
•           Rep. Harry Lewis, Pa. District 74 - Victory Brewing Company in Downingtown
•           Rep. Adam Harris and Rep. Paul Costa - Victory Brewing Company in Parkesburg
•           Rep. Mike Carroll, Pa. District 118, Sen. John Yudichak, Pa. District 14, and Rep. Aaron Kaufer, Pa. District 120 - Susquehanna Brewing Company in Pittston
•           Rep. Dave Reed, Pa. District 62 - Levity Brewing Company in Indiana
•           Rep. Tom Mehaffie, Pa. District 106 - Troegs Independent Brewing in Hershey
•           Sen. Richard Alloway, Pa. District 33 - GearHouse Brewing Company in Chambersburg
•           Sen. Chuck McIlhinney, Pa. District 10 - Weyerbacher Brewing Company in Easton
•           Sen. John Gordner, Pa. District 27 – Berwick Brewing Company in Berwick
•           Rep. Patty Kim, Pa. District 103 – Zeroday Brewing Company in Harrisburg
•           Rep. Marguerite Quinn, Pa. District 143 - Round Guys Brewing Company in Lansdale
•           Sen. Judy Schwank, Pa. District 11 - Chatty Monks Brewing Company in West Reading
•           Rep. Edward Gainey, Pa. District 24 - East End Brewing in Pittsburgh
•           Sen. Maria Collett, Pa. District 12 – Tannery Run Brew Works in Ambler
•           Sec of the Dept of Community and Economic Development Dennis Davin – East End in Pittsburgh
•           Sec of Agriculture Russell Redding – Appalachian Brewing Company in Mechanicsburg
•           DCED Deputy Sec of Marketing, Tourism & Film Carrie Lepore – GearHouse in Chambersburg

The Brewer For A Day program was launched in 2016 on the heels of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signing a $1.3 billion revenue package. Part of that package included a Malt Beverage Tax Credit not to exceed $5 million annually. The tax credit, matching equipment and facilities investments made by applicant breweries, has been one of the BOP’s top legislative goals since 2013. The BOP fully supports this tax credit measure, and considers it a major victory for all craft breweries in the Commonwealth, particularly smaller breweries as the benefits of the measure is capped at $200,000 per year, per brewery.

From 2016 to current day, many BOP members have greatly benefited from the Malt Beverage Tax Credit.

About the Brewers of Pennsylvania

The Brewers of Pennsylvania is a 501c6 trade association that brings together leaders of Pa.-based breweries in order to promote and protect the brewing industry in the state. The Brewers of Pennsylvania, a strong and influential organization, serves the consuming public of Pa. by encouraging brand diversity in the market.

BOP members employ an estimated 10,000 employees earning $296 million in wages and generating $1.1 billion in direct economic benefits to communities throughout the state. Its signature annual event is the popular Meeting of the Malts.

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