Government Affairs

An influential group of beverage-alcohol retailers and distributors are supporting legislative efforts to keep hemp-infused beverages alive despite their prohibition, slated to take effect in November 2026. 

After a lengthy delay that included much fretting among industry insiders, the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) were unveiled earlier this month. Any fears that anti-alcohol activists had infiltrated the quinquennial process were eased, as the new guidelines preach moderation over specific daily drink allowances. Beer Marketer’s Insights senior editor Christopher Shepard, who has… Read more »

President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Thursday directing the U.S. Attorney General to move cannabis from a Schedule I to Schedule III controlled substance, marking a watershed moment in the history of U.S. marijuana policy and a significant step forward for the nascent THC-infused beverage industry.

A proposed consumer antitrust class action lawsuit was filed against PepsiCo and Walmart after a now-dismissed Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaint against them was unsealed. At issue is the allegation that Pepsi gave Walmart exclusive discounts not offered to other retailers. 

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The controversial study that drew the ire of beverage-alcohol industry trade groups will not be published, according to several media outlets.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