Legislative, Government Affairs & Legal Updates

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Featured Legislative, Government Affairs & Legal Updates Content

Bart Watson: If You’re Trying to Ride Out This Wave, ‘You Should Probably Reconsider’

Bart Watson: If You’re Trying to Ride Out This Wave, ‘You Should Probably Reconsider’

Anyone looking for an answer to when craft’s current era of compounding hurdles and declines will come to an end received a reality check Wednesday during Brewers Association (BA) president and CEO Bart Watson’s state of the industry address, held at the start of Day 2 of the Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) in Indianapolis.

Additional Content

Brewbound Voices: The A-B Consent Decree Expired Earlier This Week. What Now?

Brewbound Voices: The A-B Consent Decree Expired Earlier This Week. What Now?

Ten years ago, the Justice Department (DOJ) allowed the world’s largest brewer (Anheuser-Busch InBev) to buy the world’s second largest brewer (SABMiller), but only after imposing rules designed to protect competition and keep the market open. Those rules expire this month. This is what they did, and why their expiration matters.

21st Amendment, TTB Agree to $423k+ Offer in Compromise

21st Amendment, TTB Agree to $423k+ Offer in Compromise

Before the legacy craft brewery was resurrected earlier this year, 21st Amendment (21A) seems to have run up a sizable tab with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).

Uncle Nearest’s Receiver Turns Fraud Narrative Back On Lender, Alleges Farm Credit Mid-America Ignored ‘Red Flags’ & Benefitted Financially

Uncle Nearest’s Receiver Turns Fraud Narrative Back On Lender, Alleges Farm Credit Mid-America Ignored ‘Red Flags’ & Benefitted Financially

A new counterclaim filed by the receiver overseeing Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey case alleges lender Farm Credit Mid-America ignored years of red flags while a rogue CFO falsified financial reports, misappropriated funds for personal purchases and increased the whiskey brand’s credit line from $35 million to $67 million.

Boston Beer Challenges $175M Court Award in Ardagh Can Contract Dispute

Boston Beer Challenges $175M Court Award in Ardagh Can Contract Dispute

Boston Beer Company claims it didn’t receive a “fair trial” due to “errors” throughout its breach of contract case with Ardagh Metal Group, which last month received a $175.5 million jury award, plus millions in pre-judgment interest.

Brewers Association Targets More Curated GABF Experience: New Venue, Brewer-Staffed Booths & Public Award Ceremony

Brewers Association Targets More Curated GABF Experience: New Venue, Brewer-Staffed Booths & Public Award Ceremony

Nearly three-quarters of the available booths at the reinvented Great American Beer Festival (GABF) have been claimed. As of Tuesday, June 9, 150 breweries and cideries have registered to pour at the Brewers Association’s (BA) signature consumer-centric event, scheduled for October 10 and 11 at Levitt Pavilion in Denver, Colorado, BA VP of marketing and communications Ann Obenchain told Brewbound.

Court: Boston Beer Owes Ardagh $191M in Aluminum Can Contract Dispute

Court: Boston Beer Owes Ardagh $191M in Aluminum Can Contract Dispute

A U.S. District Court has entered a $175.5 million amended final judgment – plus $15.5 million in pre-judgment interest – against Boston Beer Company for allegedly failing to purchase contracted minimums of aluminum cans from Ardagh Metal Packaging USA between 2021 and 2025, according to a June 1 8K filed by Boston Beer.

Vermont Legislature Passes Bill to Ease Self-Distribution for Craft Brewers

Vermont Legislature Passes Bill to Ease Self-Distribution for Craft Brewers

Vermont craft brewers are one signature away from expanded self-distribution privileges. The state Senate approved a bill on May 21 that would allow malt beverage manufacturers to self-distribute up to 3,000 barrels of beer under their existing manufacturer licenses.