ALEXANDRIA, VA – Nearly 1,000 beer distributors and brewer representatives will converge on the nation’s capital May 12-15 to advocate for a number of economic and regulatory issues of importance to the beer industry, as part of the 18th Annual NBWA/BREWERS Legislative Conference. The event takes place at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill.

In addition to conducting congressional visits with their respective members of Congress, attendees will also hear from some of today’s most engaging and respected political figures. Renowned political pundit Charlie Cook will kick-off this year’s political lineup Tuesday, May 13, by shedding light on voting trends and 2008 campaign strategies. U.S. Representative John Larson (CT-1), Vice-Chair of the Democratic Caucus, will speak on Tuesday as well, followed by Republican Minority Whip, Roy Blunt (MO-7), on Wednesday, May 14.

“The year 2008 is a pivotal time for the beer industry. As we reflect on 75 years of the passage of the 21^st Amendment and celebrate the United States’ successful state-based, three tier alcohol regulatory system, our industry is mindful that this is also a time when economic stability and healthcare issues weigh heavily on the minds of many Americans. This conference is especially timely for beer distributors to educate lawmakers, media and the public at large about the industry’s positive economic and societal contributions that benefit communities across the country,” said NBWA President Craig Purser. “Not only do beer distributors and brewers provide solid jobs and healthcare benefits to roughly 130,000 hard-working men and women, they play a significant role in working to protect the American consumer by providing a transparent and accountable chain-of-custody for a wide variety of beer.”

During congressional visits, attendees will:

· Seek support Congressional Resolutions “Celebrating 75 Years of Successful State-based Alcohol Regulation”

· Advocate the effectiveness of the United States’ state-based three-tiered alcohol regulatory system, which, for 75 years, has maintained quality control and product integrity and provided retailers and consumers with “peace of mind”

· Educate members of Congress and their staffs on a number of public initiatives undertaken by the beer industry encouraging the responsible consumption of alcohol. NBWA continues to seek full-funding of the Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking (“STOP”) Act, signed into law by President Bush at the end of the 109^th Congress.

· Inform legislators of the continued disproportionate and unfair burden on consumers from the federal excise tax on beer. Nearly 50 percent of all beer purchased in the U.S. is bought by consumers with household incomes below $50,000, raising concern that the beer excise tax continues to negatively impact consumers.

For more information on these or other activities taking place during the 18^th Annual NBWA/Brewers Legislative Conference, contact Jill Talley, Sr. Manager, Communications, 703-683-4300, x123 or email jtalley@nbwa.org. Registration is complimentary for beverage industry press representatives. To register, visit NBWA’s website, www.nbwa.org.