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

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.

Ardagh Wins $175.5M Verdict in Boston Beer Can Volume Dispute; Boston to Appeal

Ardagh Wins $175.5M Verdict in Boston Beer Can Volume Dispute; Boston to Appeal

A jury entered a $175.5 million verdict in favor of Ardagh Metal Packaging USA against Boston Beer Company for allegedly failing “to purchase contractual minimum volumes of certain aluminum beverage can containers from 2021 to 2025,” according to an 8K filed by Boston Beer Friday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

SEC Sues Drake’s Organic Spirits For $2.4M In Investor Fraud

SEC Sues Drake’s Organic Spirits For $2.4M In Investor Fraud

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a lawsuit against Mark D. Anderson, the founder and former CEO of shuttered Drake’s Organic Spirits, alleging he orchestrated a years-long investor fraud scheme that raised $2.4 million.

Hemp Industry Braces for Last Minute Action, Worst Case Scenarios, on Looming Ban

Hemp Industry Braces for Last Minute Action, Worst Case Scenarios, on Looming Ban

If there’s a stay of execution, it’ll probably be at the last minute. That’s what hemp lobbyists and industry groups are starting to believe about the potential for a reprieve from the upcoming November 12 THC ban, according to the Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives (CABA).

BPI: Total Beer at Benchmark for First Time in 20 Months

BPI: Total Beer at Benchmark for First Time in 20 Months

The latest Beer Purchasers’ Index (BPI) from the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) revealed that for the first time in nearly two years, distributors are not planning to purchase less beer than the previous month.