The Houston Area Chamber of Commerce plans to serve beer at some of its future events following approval from a majority of its members.
The organization announced Friday morning the idea was approved 44-38 via ballots that were tallied in a board meeting the previous night. Eighty-two of the 133 ballots (62 percent) were returned.
Chamber board member Tyler Romines said the decision was turned over to constituents because of nature of the issue.
“The board was split,” Romines said, “and we felt that a polarizing issue such as this should be left up to the constituents. The board members agreed – the people who were for and against – that we’re all on this board to represent the members of the chamber, and if we have a close vote on anything, the best way to represent the members is to poll our members.
“I think the worst thing we could have done is to assume what people wanted. And we had great voter response.”
Romines said the new policy will be implemented slowly, with the first beer sales likely taking place during the second and third days of the Old Settlers Reunion (set for June 30 through July 2 at the chamber grounds on north U.S. 63).
“We’re leaning toward a small implementation the first year,” he said.
When sold at chamber events, Romines said beer will only be available and consumable in a specific area.
“It won’t be a situation where beer will be mingled throughout the entire event,” Romines said. “There will be a designated beer garden, and beer cannot be taken out of it.”
Beer sales will be a first for the chamber. The Houston City Council approved a beer garden for a downtown event in 2014 for a non-chamber event.