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

Brewers Association Shares Complaint and Remediation Process for Code of Conduct Violations

Brewers Association Shares Complaint and Remediation Process for Code of Conduct Violations

A month after launching its code of conduct for members, the Brewers Association (BA) shared its complaint and disciplinary process during a town hall meeting on Tuesday. “We’re interested in creating a process that provides education and self remediation — we’re not looking for punishment, cutting off heads,” said BA board member Wynne Odell, co-founder of Fort Collins, Colorado-based Odell Brewing.

Last Call: Some Florida Bars to Reopen at Half Capacity Monday; Union Craft Takes Action on Harassment Claims

Last Call: Some Florida Bars to Reopen at Half Capacity Monday; Union Craft Takes Action on Harassment Claims

Some Florida bars and breweries that don’t serve food will be able to reopen for service at 50% capacity on Monday. Halsey Beshears, Florida’s secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, tweeted Thursday evening that Gov. Ron DeSantis had rescinded the executive order that forced them to close in June.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf Calls for Cannabis Legalization and State Alcohol Tax Relief

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf Calls for Cannabis Legalization and State Alcohol Tax Relief

In his fall legislative agenda, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf urged the state Legislature to legalize recreational marijuana and use proceeds from its sale to support business grants and restorative justice programs, as well as pass a six-month reduction or cancellation of the state’s alcohol tax on the hospitality industry.

TTB Warns Producers Against Making Health Claims in Advertising

TTB Warns Producers Against Making Health Claims in Advertising

Citing an influx of advertising touting the health benefits of certain alcoholic beverages, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) published a memo warning producers to stop making such claims.

Beer Institute Roundup: Pandemic Slows Can Recycling; US Will Not Impose Tariffs on European Beer

Beer Institute Roundup: Pandemic Slows Can Recycling; US Will Not Impose Tariffs on European Beer

Cans are a hot topic for the nation’s brewers, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of bars and restaurants for several months. Without on-premise venues to visit, Americans began to drink more beer at home, and cans picked up the slack in the market left by draft beer. Ball, the world’s largest manufacturer of aluminum cans, said inventory is likely to be sold out or severely tight for the remainder of the year.

TTB Appoints Mary Ryan New Administrator

TTB Appoints Mary Ryan New Administrator

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has named Mary Ryan as its new administrator, effective August 16.

Brewers Association Approves Code of Conduct for Members

Brewers Association Approves Code of Conduct for Members

The board of directors of national not-for-profit trade group the Brewers Association (BA) has approved its first ever code of conduct for member breweries after criticism from industry professionals and consumers that it was too often silent in the wake of racist incidents.