Government Affairs

A coalition of 54 beer, wine and spirits distributors are asking U.S. House and Senate leaders to regulate and tax intoxicating hemp products similar to alcoholic beverages, according to a letter sent Wednesday.

The Brewers Association (BA) has hired Michael Mohr-Ramirez to lead its federal government affairs efforts, the trade organization announced Monday.

Brewers and other bev-alc manufacturers stand to face serious inconveniences if the federal government shuts down at the end of today (September 30), industry trade groups have cautioned.

The Brewers Association (BA) has asked the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to examine state-level regulations governing franchise law, three-tier mandates and territory exclusivity.

The controversial study that drew the ire of beverage-alcohol industry trade groups will not be published, according to several media outlets.

Dan Kleban, founder of Freeport-based Maine Beer Co., has entered the race to unseat longtime U.S. Senator Susan Collins. Kleban is the latest candidate to join a growing field of challengers in the state’s Democratic primary to take on Collins, a Republican, in 2026.

President Donald Trump signed a sweeping omnibus package dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into law on July 4. Included in the legislation are provisions that benefit businesses such as beer distributors.

BA president and CEO Bart Watson addresses the Trump administration doubling tariffs on imported aluminum and steel.

Last week, Marty Makary, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, alongside Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., proclaimed the administration’s desire to phase out the use of eight synthetic food dyes by the end of 2026.

The Brewers Association (BA) has tapped Samuel Beaver to lead federal government affairs, the trade organization announced Thursday. Beaver joins the BA from the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), where he served as director of government relations for nearly six years.

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a new directive for manufacturers to phase out eight synthetic food dyes used in the formulations of thousands of food and beverage products.

As some suppliers and wholesalers warm to intoxicating hemp beverages, bev-alc trade group leaders are looking for regulatory parity between their members’ products and the burgeoning segment.

Beer distributors’ top priority in lobbying visits with congressional members during the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) legislative conference was to push for permanence for lowered tax rates put in place by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).

Longtime lead lobbyist Katie Marisic has exited the Brewers Association (BA), where she was senior director of federal affairs. Marisic represented craft brewers’ voices and the BA in Washington, D.C. for a decade.