It is vitally important that brewers establish communication and relationships with state and federal legislators. There are many ways to do this, here are just a few:

Communicate with other small breweries in your state. Join or form your state brewers association (guild) to keep on the pulse of issues that impact your business.

Write and send a letter to your state or federal legislators in support of or against legislation that will affect you local brewery.

Call your state or federal legislators to express your support or opposition to legislation that will affect your local brewery.

It can be a simple as an email to any of your legislative representatives too!

Submit a letter to the editor of your local newspaper detailing your support of local breweries and your opinion on legislative or regulatory initiatives that will affect these businesses.

Visit your state and federal legislators local offices.   All US congressional representatives have regional offices in your state.   Ask to meet with the representative themselves or their staff.

Invite your representatives to your brewery for a tour and tasting.

Send holiday greeting cards with a sample of your product to their local offices.

Find Your State or Federal Legislators

Just entering your zip code will allow you to track your state and federal legislators at this web site.
http://votesmart.org/index.htm

The official web site for the US Senate
http://www.senate.gov/index.htm

The official web site of the US House of Representatives
http://www.house.gov/