A permanent reduction in the federal excise tax for alcohol producers and importers is a signature away. The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate have both signed off on the $900 billion economic relief package, which includes language from the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA), as well as additional Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding for small businesses, among other measures.

The temporary federal excise tax cuts enjoyed by brewers and importers over the last three years are on the verge of being made permanent. Congress has included language from the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA) in the $900 billion COVID-19 relief package that is expected to pass in the coming days.

Chicago’s Revolution Brewing has promoted Doug Veliky to chief strategy officer. In his new role, Veliky will be tasked with leading the finance and marketing divisions of the company, as well as helping set the overall strategic direction of the craft brewery.

Brooklyn Brewery co-founder Steve Hindy, one of the famed “Class of ’88” pioneers of the craft brewing movement, has announced his retirement, effective December 31.

The California Craft Brewers Association (CCBA) has filed a lawsuit against Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) director Sandra Shewry alleging that the state has infringed upon the constitutional rights and denied the state’s beer manufacturers equal protection by requiring them to serve a meal to guests in order to operate their tasting rooms while not imposing the same restrictions upon the state’s winemakers.

Industry watchdog group Alcohol Justice is urging California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to conduct an independent investigation of Anheuser-Busch InBev and Reyes Holdings for what it believes could be antitrust violations related to acquisitions each company has made in the state.

Just two weeks after closing on the acquisition of Atlanta’s Sweetwater Brewing Company, Canadian cannabis company Aphria has reached an agreement to merge with Tilray, forming the world’s largest cannabis company valued at $3.8 billion.

Just in time for “Dry January,” Brooklyn Brewery will launch the next offering within its fast-growing non-alcoholic beer line Special Effects. The New York craft brewery today officially announced the addition of an IPA to the Special Effects portfolio to go along with Hoppy Amber.

San Diego-based Societe Brewing is moving wholesaler networks in California. Effective January 4, Societe’s offerings will be distributed by Stone Distributing throughout Southern California, Brewbound has learned.

In the wake of several terminations by a handful of larger beer suppliers over the last two years, a group of California beer wholesalers have launched a new association, the California Family Beer Distributors (CFBD).

Bell’s Brewery has filled out its new distribution map in southern Indiana. The Comstock, Michigan-headquartered craft brewery announced 15 new wholesaler partners, all within Anheuser-Busch’s network of wholesalers in the state.

Middle-tier consolidation continues to chug along, this time in Alabama. Gulf Distributing Holdings in Mobile, the state’s largest beer wholesaler, completed the acquisition of Supreme Beverage Co. in Huntsville on December 4.

Atlanta’s Monday Night Brewing today announced the promotions of long-time employees Rachel Kiley and Kayla Rumpfeldt to the roles of chief operating officer and chief marketing officer, respectively. As part of the move, Monday Night co-founder Jonathan Baker, who had served as CMO, will transition to CMO emeritus and remain involved in the direction of the brand.

Crescent Crown — which operates distribution territories in Louisiana and Arizona and sells more than 37 million cases of beverages annually — announced Monday a deal to acquire Jim Carey Distributing Company in Covington, Louisiana.