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.

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Minnesota Wholesalers Seek Pledge From Brewers and Distillers Not to Push for Future Alcohol Legislation for 5 Years if ‘Free the Growler’ Passes

Minnesota Wholesalers Seek Pledge From Brewers and Distillers Not to Push for Future Alcohol Legislation for 5 Years if ‘Free the Growler’ Passes

A bill to expand to-go sales from Minnesota craft breweries has been paired with a proposed agreement that all parties involved in the legislation’s negotiation – which include organizations representing the state’s craft brewers, wholesalers and liquor stores – would promise to refrain from promoting other alcohol-related laws for five years.

Cold Box Battle Between Beer, Spirits Moves to State Legislatures

Cold Box Battle Between Beer, Spirits Moves to State Legislatures

With sales of spirits-based ready-to-drink canned cocktails continuing to boom, battles for turf in the cold box can be tracked to statehouses across the country. And spirit makers are looking for some low-cost ammo: While beer has historically enjoyed favorable excise tax rates, spirit makers are attempting to change those laws, they say, to level the playing field for products of similar ABVs and package sizes.

Seismic Takes Antitrust Case Against DBI, Reyes to Federal Court, Alleges Attempt to Maintain California Beer Distribution Monopoly

Seismic Takes Antitrust Case Against DBI, Reyes to Federal Court, Alleges Attempt to Maintain California Beer Distribution Monopoly

After a state court largely rejected its claims earlier this year, Seismic Brewing Company has now filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against DBI Beverage, Reyes Holdings and Reyes subsidiary Harbor Distributing, alleging the beer distributor attempted to maintain a monopoly of California’s beer distribution market.

Last Call: Sycamore Brewing Accuses Stone of Trademark Infringement; Laurelwood Brewing Acquires Assets from Ninkasi Brewing

Last Call: Sycamore Brewing Accuses Stone of Trademark Infringement; Laurelwood Brewing Acquires Assets from Ninkasi Brewing

Two weeks after a jury sided with Stone Brewing in its trial against Molson Coors, the Escondido, California-headquartered craft brewer is tangled in another trademark infringement lawsuit – this time as the defendant. The founders of Laurelwood Brewing have bought back the distribution and brand rights of the Portland, Oregon-based company from Eugene, Oregon-based Ninkasi Brewing, The Oregonian reported Wednesday.