In this week’s edition of press clips: Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot’s “Reform on Tap Act of 2018” would create a friendlier business climate for the state’s craft breweries, the Senate tax bill gains steam as alcohol industry watchdogs cry foul, and two industry trade groups provide a snapshot of beer industry health through October.

The entrepreneurs behind the once-caffeinated and controversial flavored malt beverage, Four Loko, are diversifying. Following the April launch of Four Loko Shots, a line of flavored spirits checking in at 35 percent ABV, Four Loko parent Phusion Projects, via its Innovative Wine & Spirits subsidiary, last week struck a deal with Pabst Brewing Company to market, sell and distribute its first bourbon brand under the Not Your Father’s label.

Colorado-based Left Hand Brewing Company has filed a lawsuit against yeast supplier White Labs alleging that the San Diego-based fermentation specialists sold the brewery contaminated brewers yeast, which led to a $2 million recall in 2016.

With just six weeks left to go in 2017, U.S. beer volume sales are roughly flat, according to recent data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI Worldwide. The firm, which tracks category-wide sales trends at off-premise retailers, reported that U.S. beer volume sales were down 0.7 percent while total beer dollar sales have increased 1 percent through November 5.

Popular Boston-area beer maker Trillium Brewing today announced plans to open a seasonal beer garden inside the historic “Roslindale Substation Building,” located about 8 miles from downtown Boston.

In our latest Legislative Update: Indiana considers Sunday sales; the Georgia Department of Revenue discusses digital transactions; West Sixth Brewery co-founder is chosen to lead the Kentucky Democratic Party; and more.

For the first time ever, beer excise tax reductions have been included in a comprehensive federal tax reform proposal. On Tuesday night, U.S. Senate Finance Committee chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) released a “Chairman’s Mark” to the Senate GOP’s version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

In a move toward diversifying its portfolio and reaching spirits consumers, Pabst Brewing Company today announced a foray into the crafts spirits space with the launch of Not Your Father’s Bourbon. The 86 proof (43 percent ABV), small-batch bourbon is the first product to be launched in a new line of spirits under the Not Your Father’s label, which includes the popular Not Your Father’s Root Beer flavored malt beverage as well as hard vanilla cream and ginger ale offerings, among others.

North Carolina’s Catawba Brewing Co. has reached an agreement to acquire Charleston, South Carolina-based Palmetto Brewing Co. Catawba co-founder Billy Pyatt told Brewbound that his company will acquire “100 percent” of Palmetto’s assets and hopes to close on the transaction by the end of the year.

Anheuser-Busch InBev is once again shaking up its North American executive leadership team, today announcing the appointment of a new CEO to oversee its largest market, among other key changes. Michel Doukeris, the company’s current chief sales officer, will take over as the CEO of A-B InBev North America, supplanting current zone president and CEO João Castro Neves, who will depart the organization after 22 years to “pursue other opportunities.”

In this week’s edition of Last Call: Molson Coors acquires Quebec craft brewery Trou du Diable; Shmaltz seeks investment; Boston Beer Company opens a taproom in Boston; Maryland’s alcohol regulator wraps up reform task force; Viceland renews Beerland.

While its legacy Widmer and Redhook brands continue to decline, Kona offerings are up double-digits year-to-date in a Craft Brew Alliance portfolio that has grown to include a number of regional craft brewery partners in recent years.

Craft Brew Alliance (CBA), which makes and markets a range of beer offerings, today reported its third-quarter earnings results. The company’s performance for the three-month period ending September 30 was highlighted by a 9 percent increase in Kona depletions (shipments to wholesalers). Through the first nine months of the year, Kona depletions have increased 10 percent.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) released its latest draft guidance for calorie-posting requirements on Tuesday, offering additional clarification for establishments in which alcoholic beverages are a regular part of menus.