Legislation to ease outdated restrictions that are crimping a joint venture between Ponderay's Laughing Dog Brewing and a new microbrewery starting up in Post Falls, Selkirk Abbey, has passed the House on a 58-5 vote and is headed to Gov. Butch Otter's desk. "This gives us an opportunity for us to have an industry within Idaho that uses Idaho employment and Idaho products, and gives us economic development opportunities, especially in our rural area," Rep. George Eskridge, R-Dover, told the House; he's co-sponsoring the bill with both of the other District 1 lawmakers, Rep. Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake, and Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint. The bill earlier passed the Senate on a unanimous vote.

Current law restricts brewery owners from having a financial interest in another facility that offers retail or a tasting room, though no such restrictions exist for Idaho wineries. As a result, Selkirk Abbey was denied a state license because Laughing Dog co-founder and brewmaster Fred Colby was a partner. The bill, SB 1344, lets Idaho microbrewers - there are 24 in Idaho now - have an interest in one other operation. Selkirk Abbey representatives told lawmakers that Colby, with his expertise and distribution contacts, was key to the new startup's business plan.

Laughing Dog, which sells its beer in 35 states and Canada, makes award-winning brews including Alpha Dog IPA, Cold Nose Winter Ale and Huckleberry Cream Ale.