Steve Knight

State Sen. Steve Knight, R-Antelope Valley, has introduced legislation to clarify the labeling and refilling requirements for returnable beer containers (growlers) at California breweries.

Current law allows breweries to refill growlers, but the law is unclear about refilling them at a location other than the place where the growler was originally purchased. This has led to confusion among breweries and its consumers as to what is allowed by law.

“More than half of Americans now live within 10 miles of a craft brewer, and many of these local entrepreneurs want to make it easier for customers to cost-effectively bring home their beer using a growler,” said Senator Knight.

Senator Knight’s measure is such a bi-partisan issue, that Democrat Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro recently amended one of his bills (AB 647) to imitate the idea, which then passed its first committee.

SB 533 allows growlers to be refilled at a brewery different from the original location it was purchased so long as the original label is completely covered and a new label identifying the current contents and brewery from which it was purchased is visible.

“Growlers are a great, economical alternative that allows beer enthusiasts to enjoy their beer without wasting containers that only have a one-time use. SB 533 gives consumers the flexibility and choice to reuse their growler,” Knight continued.

SB 533 has been passed unanimously by the Governmental Organization committee and will next be heard by the Appropriations Committee.

Knight represents California’a 21st Senate District, which includes about half of the Santa Clarita Valley.