Beer distributors file bill in ongoing brewery dispute

Beer distributors have filed legislation that seeks a middle ground in an ongoing dispute with Massachusetts breweries that enables small brewers to leave contracts but keeps rules with larger breweries the same.The bill, filed by state Rep. John Mahoney, a Worcester Democrat, on Friday, would change current mandates, which require all breweries, after six months with a distributor, to have good reason to dissolve contracts with a distributor. The new rule would allow “emerging breweries&r