Today is yet another in a series of great days for D.C.’s beer scene and the brewers in the city: the D.C. Beer Manufacturers Tasting Permit Act of 2011 was passed unanimously this afternoon by the D.C. Council, giving breweries in the District the same rights to host tastings as grocery and liquor stores.

Since the city had been without a brewery for over 50 years, the laws on the books allowed purchase from a brewery, but made it illegal to sample the product in the brewery beforehand. Because it only makes sense for patrons to be able to taste the beer produced when touring a brewery, Brandon Skall and Jeff Hancock of DC Brau took it upon themselves to get this amendment passed — not only for their benefit, but for all breweries coming into the city. Friends like fellow 3 Stars brewer Mike McGarvey had provided testimony as to why this is such an important promotional opportunity that many other breweries around the world (or just across the District line) are allowed to have.

When I spoke to Skall recently about the issue, he was very keen to and serious about the issues surrounding on-premises tasting — he said safety is his biggest concern. And why would it not be? His customers are his neighbors.

DC Brau’s beer can be found all over the city — and now in the brewery.