13-02-2025
Cold beer at wineries? New bill could shake up Texas's drink scene, here's how:
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Imagine you're going on a night out, excited for the food, company, and a drink of your choice; only to find out that a local winery with an attached restaurant can't serve you a cold beer with your meal.
That frustrating reality might soon change, thanks to a new bill that will close a loophole in the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). Texas State Representative Brooks Landgraf, who introduced the bill after a request for help, said that if it's passed, the legislation would allow businesses like Homemade Wines Downtown Bistro in Odessa to expand their offerings and better serve their customers.
Homemade Wines, a locally owned winery and restaurant in downtown Odessa, has been unable to sell beer due to existing regulations. Despite operating a full restaurant, the business falls into a 'legal gray area' because it is classified as a wine manufacturer.
'Sometimes customers at the restaurant just want to have a beer with their dinner,' Landgraf said. 'But there's not a permit that currently exists for that. So the legislation that I'm proposing would fix that gap and make sure that there is an applicable permit for a situation like the one that Homemade Wines is in.'
Landgraf, who has worked closely with Homemade Wines to find a solution, first attempted to resolve the issue with TABC. When no existing permit fit their business model, he turned to the legislative process.
Watch the video below to hear Landgraf explain what the bill is, and why it will be important for small businesses like Homemade Wines:
Homemade Wines CEO and owner Kris Bowen said the new bill is an answer to a long-standing request from customers.
'The number one question we get is asking if we serve beer. We get it constantly. We have women come in for their wine, and they constantly say, 'I would love to bring my husband in, but y'all don't have beer.' So we're obviously losing business because of that,' Bowen said.
The bill would not only allow them to meet customer demand but also open new opportunities for partnerships with other local businesses. Bowen has already expressed interest in collaborating with Tall City Brewery in Midland, a well-known local brewery, to bring more locally crafted beverages to Homemade Wines.
'It takes away a lot of the red tape so that we can collaborate together in different cities. They can have Homemade Wines in their spot, and we can have their beer here. It just opens a lot of doors,' Bowen said.
Watch the video below to hear Bowen discuss the impact this bill could have on their business and future partnerships:
Currently, the bill is making its way through the legislative process, which began on January 14 and will continue through early June. If passed, the new law is expected to take effect on September 1, 2025.
For Landgraf, this bill is part of a larger mission to ensure that West Texans have their voices heard in the state legislature.
'When West Texans have a problem with state government, they come to me to fix it. That's my job, and I'm happy to help, whether it's Homemade Wines or any other individual or business in West Texas who just needs to have a problem fixed at the state level,' he said.
If successful, this legislation could serve as a model for other businesses in Texas facing similar restrictions, potentially paving the way for more flexible permitting across the state.
And for those who have never been to Homemade Wines, Bower explains how the business is unlike anything in the area:
Stay tuned as we follow the progress of this bill and its potential impact on small businesses like Homemade Wines. For more information about Homemade Wines Downtown Bistro, visit its Facebook page, or this website.
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