State and city employees and lawmakers are slated to get toasted tonight at a big private bash thrown by the legendary Samuel Adams brewery at the same time the Boston Beer Co. is gearing up for a major lobbying push on Beacon Hill.
The party — intended to reward “official” city and state employees “for all their hard work” during the winter storms — is open only to those who can produce a state or city ID, and their spouses or dates, according to the invitation obtained by the Herald.
“This is a private event for official city and state employees,” the invitation from the Samuel Adams brewery reads. “Attendees must be 21+. Please bring city or state employment ID.”
The free party at the Jamaica Plain brewery comes at the same time that Boston Beer Co., founded by brewmaster Jim Koch, is restarting a legislative push to exempt “craft brewers” like Samuel Adams from state laws regulating the distribution of their beers.
The legislation failed in the last Beacon Hill session, but Boston Beer has expanded its lobbying operation by hiring former state Rep. Kathi-Anne Reinstein, who is now the in-house government relations executive. Boston Beer also employs two other lobbyists and is represented by the politically connected PR and lobbying firm run by Democratic consultants Doug Rubin and Larry Carpman.
State ethics laws prohibit state and municipal employees from accepting gratuities of more than $50.
A spokeswoman for Boston Beer Co. issued a statement late last night, saying, “We feel the folks who plowed our streets 24/7, shoveled the public walkways and made sure we were as safe as possible, deserve our thanks — and this is our small way of thanking everyone who has kept us safe. We are very much aware of the rules and regulations and have followed them in preparation of this event.”
The invitation for the bash — titled “Who’s Ready for Spring?” — says that “light food and giveaways will be provided” and also offers discounted Uber rides in case over-imbibing state and city workers don’t want to drive.
Even though the city of Boston and state agencies like the MBTA faced harsh public criticism for their failure to clear the streets and train tracks during a series of harsh winter storms, the Samuel Adams brewery beer blast is meant to congratulate public employees.
“The brewers at Samuel Adams would like to toast attendees for all their hard work during one of the worst winters in Boston’s history!” the invitation reads.
Boston Beer Co. has recently upped its lobbying efforts not only in Massachusetts but in Washington, D.C., and around the country to exempt Samuel Adams and other “microbrews” from stringent laws that were drafted when craft brewers didn’t exist.
But in Massachusetts, the stakes are especially high because Boston Beer and other smaller breweries are trying to get around an old state law that locks them into long-term distributor deals. Now the local brewery is looking for state lawmakers for help — and offering them and their staffs a chance to partake in some of its fine beers couldn’t hurt.