Barley And Hops are

Starting it off Right.

Sunday March 14 From 6pm til Close AT THE BAR we will be celebrating

The Selection Process And

 matching Basketball Wits.

 Drafts will be $1.50 from 6pm til close.

And Brackets for the Pool will be created.

See you there.

The sponsors are passing this bill off as a harmless proposal that Marylanders pay a “dime a drink” – which certainly sounds reasonable enough. They are also hiding the bill under a feel good Name “The Lorraine Sheehan Health and Community Services Act of 2010”   But if you look a little deeper, the true impact could be to increase the cost of a case of beer at retail by about $4.50 per case – anywhere from a 15 to 25 % increase in cost to the consumer.

For my brewery alone this would raise our tax burden over $120,000.  Since there is no way we could absorb that kind of cost increase, we would have to pass that along – hence your increase in cost to consumer.  This would certainly negatively impact our sales, and then translate into JOB losses.  And don’t forget we are talking manufacturing jobs here  – the kind of jobs the economists are telling us we want to keep.  It would be difficult to effectively outsource local beer manufacturing jobs to India!

This proposed beer tax increase is of course in addition to the increase we have already gotten on MD unemployment insurance.  However, if we have to lay people off to deal with these tax issues, I guess that means we can put that extra unemployment tax money to good use. And none of this deals with the negative impact that would faced by the hospitality industry and package stores.  Wow, I guess we can really put those extra unemployment dollars to good use.

Also, let’s not forget the inestimable benefit this tax increase will deliver to our good neighbors in Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and DC.  Think of all the Marylanders who will flock to those states to buy beer, wine, and liquor – saving fairly large dollars and making sure that all that money goes out of state where it will do us all a world of good.  Kind of makes you feel giddy doesn’t it!

You know it occurs to me that with all of the positives noted above the state might actually net fewer tax dollars as a result of this proposed tax increase.

Seriously, whether you are a beer drinker or not, this kind of legislation is more about small business rather than beverage alcohol.  Those of us in this industry are an easy target – they call it a “sin tax” remember!  But just because we are an easy target doesn’t make it either right, good business, or even more importantly, good tax policy.  We are collectively just now beginning to emerge from one of the most difficult economic time periods in our history.  This is NOT the time to take this kind of action.  Let MD small business get back on its feet, and then let’s look at options for balancing the state budget correctly – with broad based initiatives rather than penalizing any one industry.

To communicate to your state Delegate that you oppose this bill you can…

1) Click here

2) Enter your address and city and hit “Find Elected Officials”

3) The next screen will give you email links to both your State Senator and Delegates.

4) Send them an email today!  Please be respectful, but tell them what you think! 

5) Remember who sponsored this bill at the polls in November!

Come have a good Barley And Hops brew & a bite to eat. Chew the fat with fellow Frederick County Republicans.

Nothing official, no dress code, no speakers, no pressure….just a few friends enjoying some good beer and good food.

No need to contact anyone or RSVP…just show up at Barley And Hops. We’ll take care of the rest!

 The Folks in Annapolis are at it again. “The Lorraine Sheehan Health & Commuinty Services Act of 2010″ which sounds good & promising is nothing but a Tax Increase on you & I. This Act will increase taxes on Alcohol 1,289.0%, actaully 1,288.89%. They might promote this as only a dime a drink but when it gets to you and I it will be 1,289.% increase. And this will be passed on to consumers. Please contact your Delegates to say “NO MORE” on HB 832. Check it out http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/HB0832.htm

 Well folks it has been a unique week& now we get to celebrate

Valentine’s Day All weekend and that is what we are doing

Friday – Saturday – Sunday

We are going to celebrate Valentine’s Day with Chef’s Features

Do not need reservation

And Do Not Forget That Special Someone  

(5pm to close)

25 % off our Steak Entrees

 8 & 10 oz Sirloin

Our Award Winning NY Strip Steak

& 16 oz Bone In French Cut Rib Eye

All served with side item and House Salad

No chef features, daily specials and can not be used in-conjunction with any other offers, coupons, or discount

In an attempt to keep all parents from going crazy from Cabin Fever, Barley And Hops is doing “Kids Eat Free” from 11 am to 4 pm. on Tuesday 2/9/10. With more snow on the way and the likelihood that school will be out all week, we want to give everyone a great reason to get out and enjoy themselves before the next round of bad weather.

Then from 5 pm until close, it’s Steak Night at Barley And Hops.  All of our award-winning Fresh Hand Cut Steaks are 25.0% off. Our complete line up of steak entrees are cooked to perfection and served with a side item of your choice and accompanied by a house salad.

Don’t Forget Valentines Weekend, make those reservations.

Yes folks Barley And Hops is opening on time this morning, Monday 2/8/10.  Our lot is cleared. And we will have some great food. So if you are hungry, thirsty or just want to get the heck out of the house come on over.

Monday night starting at 5 we will offer Buy One, then get one FREE.  That is purchase any sandwich or entrée and then receive equal or lesser value item for free.

NO chef features, daily specials or can not be used in-conjunction with any other offers, coupons or discounts.  Can only be used one per table regardless of size of the party or separate checks.

SO if it is SAFE for you to come out or if you are already out stop by and say hi.