U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock (right) was impressed with what he saw at Destihl Brewery. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Peoria) said Bloomington's Destihl Brewery is "what it's all about."

Since opening seven years ago Destihl has grown to employ 165 people, it's selling product in 15 states.

"They're looking to grow 100 percent this year, maybe 100 percent next year if demand keeps up," said Schock. "What simply need is the government to get out of their way."

Schock is sponsoring federal legislation to reduce the amount of excise tax craft breweries pay.

"It would reduce that to $3.50 a barrel for the small craft brewers," said Schock. "It basically is a way to help give them the cash they need to continue to buy the type of equipment we just saw so they can continue to grow."

Destihl brewmaster Matt Potts explained savings because of that legislation would likely allow him to purchase at least one more brew tank.

"We want to pay more excise taxes, we just don't want to, necessarily, pay the rate that we are because it is more burdensome to pay the rate that we are," said Potts. "Those savings adds up; when we can add a tank that equals a lot of beer production for a brewery of our size."

There are also road blocks at the state level. Illinois limits the amount of barrels which can be produced a year. Schock said legislators need to be educated on this so when Destihl and other breweries reach that limit they won't have to look at moving out of state.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].