Fight brewing over beer-cooler bill in Missouri Legislature

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A fight is brewing in the Missouri Legislature over an unlikely topic -- beer coolers.

The measure, which passed the state Senate on an 18-14 vote Thursday, would let breweries lease coolers to grocers and other stores that sell beer.

Sponsor Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, and supporters including St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch tout the bill as a way to boost the beer industry in Missouri and help drinkers by providing another option to bring more refrigeration space, and therefore more cold beer, to stores.

Schmitt, who in earlier debate on the Senate floor said Anheuser-Busch approached him with the cooler proposal, argued beer drinkers prefer to buy chilled brews.

"We're providing more options for consumers and more options for more cold space for more beer to be in front of more consumers in small businesses across the state," Schmitt said.

Last year, he received $15,000 in contributions from Anheuser-Busch Cos. for his campaign for state treasurer.

Marcelo Abud, a region vice president of Anheuser-Busch in Missouri and several Midwestern states, in a statement praised the bill's Senate passage and cited similar laws in place in Wisconsin and Colorado.

"This legislation would help enhance the position of beer in a competitive retail landscape," Abud said, adding it would help "the entire beer community in Missouri."

But the measure faces opposition from skeptical lawmakers and Missouri craft brewers, who are slamming it as giving an advantage to larger breweries, such as Anheuser-Busch.

Sen. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, has questioned why stores couldn't buy coolers if more refrigeration space is needed. Rolla Republican Sen. Dan Brown, who is running against Schmitt for treasurer, called it a "monopolizing" bill.

Jeff Schrag, founder of Springfield-based Mother's Brewing Co. and president of the Missouri Small Brewer's Guild, said most smaller breweries could not afford to purchase coolers to lease.

And while retailers could stock the coolers with any beer, not only brews from the beer-maker leasing the refrigeration, Schrag raised doubts about how that would play out. He said providing incentives such as coolers could mean more shelf space and consequently more sales for big breweries.

"We are basically giving Goliath more weapons to fight David," Schrag said. "Goliath doesn't need more weapons."

The measure now heads to the House for review.