They say nothing's for sure but Death and Taxes
<editor's note> ....but here are a couple of articles from the Real Beer Page Mail that shows even taxes don't always win…. </editor's note>
NO NEW BEER TAXES -- YET Many states looking for ways to make up for shrinking tax revenues because of the slumping economy have cast an eye toward "sin taxes" on alcohol and tobacco. As many as 30 states are reported considering action, and several have initiatives in the pipeline. Proposed increases have been introduced recently in Montana, New Mexico, Maryland and Washington. If passed, the Washington measure would raise the beer tax by almost 500% and boost the cost of a six-pack by a dollar. In Wyoming, which has the lowest beer tax in the nation at 2 cents per gallon, a proposed increase died in committee. In case you were wondering, Missouri's beer tax is second lowest at 6 cents a gallon. Hawaii's is the highest at 93 cents a gallon. FRENCH BACK OFF TAX ON STRONG BELGIAN BEERS The French government is suspending its controversial tax on beer containing more than 8.5% alcohol. The tax threatened to cause financial problems for Belgium's specialty brewers. France is the largest market for Belgian beer and, according to the brewers' association the tax of 2.10 euros cents per liter has caused Belgian brewers financial difficulties. The tax was imposed at the beginning of January. The brewers' association filed a complaint with the European Commission, and Belgian Finance Minister Didier Reynders entered into talks with his French counterpart, François Mer. Following the talks, France agreed to review the tax or exempt it for strong Belgian brews. - Michael Jackson comments on the tax http://www.beerhunter.com/documents/19133-001827.html But then (as usual) taxes go up, up, up….. WASHINGTON BREWERS FIGHT BEER TAXES Small brewers in the state of Washington went to the state legislature last month to protest proposals that would significantly raise taxes on beer. House Bill 1255 proposes to double the tax on selling bottled and canned beer from $1.30 to $2.60 per barrel (a barrel is 31 gallons). The bill would raise another tax imposed on all beer from $2 to $24.36 per barrel. Along with other taxes already in place, brewers estimate they'll pay a total of $31.74 per barrel, an increase from $8.08, if the bill is passed. "It is very anti-small-business," said Crayne Horton, founder of Fish Brewing Co. in Olympia. "They're going to pass that price on to the consumer," Horton said. Brewers estimate the cost of an average $3 pint will go up 57 cents. http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-001839.php UTAH INCREASES BEER TAX Utah legislators have approved a beer tax increase the goes into effect May 1. The tax on beer will increase from $11 to $12.80 per barrel, down from the $14 increase originally contemplated. Some of the revenue from beer sales and increased license fees will go to combat over-consumption and underage drinking. Lawmakers pushed forward the tax hike's effective date two months to May 1. The early start will help generate revenue needed to balance the 2003-04 general fund, where most of the new tax money will go, in addition to building up the fund for law enforcement. http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-001847.php