Legislative, Government Affairs & Legal Updates

Stay informed on the latest beer industry, legislative, government affairs and legal news, including updates on the Brewers Association and NBWA. Understand the evolving beverage alcohol regulatory and legal environment that can directly impact your distribution, retail efforts, intellectual property, packaging and ingredients.

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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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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 Ron DeSantis had rescinded the executive order that forced them to close in June.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.

President Trump Ends Tariff Exemption on Canadian Aluminum

President Trump Ends Tariff Exemption on Canadian Aluminum

With the nation’s can supply tightening, President Donald Trump yesterday announced the reimposition of a 10% tariff on Canadian aluminum, claiming that America’s neighbor to the north was flooding the market.

NBWA Cancels In-Person Annual Convention Scheduled for Orlando; Event Moves Online

NBWA Cancels In-Person Annual Convention Scheduled for Orlando; Event Moves Online

The National Beer Wholesalers Association’s Annual Convention won’t be taking place in-person in Orlando, Florida, this October after all. The largest meeting of beer wholesalers in the country will instead go virtual from October 4-7. The NBWA was set to host its Annual Convention in Orlando in early October, however, the COVID-19 pandemic has rendered those plans unfeasible.