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.

Additional Content

Brewbound Frontlines: Beer Industry Legal Experts Discuss COVID-19 Regulatory Changes

Brewbound Frontlines: Beer Industry Legal Experts Discuss COVID-19 Regulatory Changes

Brewbound Frontlines returns with a live streamed panel discussion with beer industry legal experts on Thursday, July 2 at 3 p.m. EST. McDermott, Will & Emery counsel Nichole Shustack, Kaleo Legal partner Shauna Barnes, and Responsible Hospitality Institute executive director Jim Peters will discuss regulatory changes made during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brewers Associations Lays Off Additional 17% of Workforce, Including Julia Herz

Brewers Associations Lays Off Additional 17% of Workforce, Including Julia Herz

The Brewers Association has announced a second round of layoffs, cutting 17% of its workforce, the national trade group confirmed to Brewbound. The layoff amounted to nine additional employees of the BA, including one of its most recognizable faces and advocates for small and independent U.S. craft brewers: Julia Herz.

Legislative Updates: Michigan Considers ‘Social Districts’ for Public Consumption

Legislative Updates: Michigan Considers ‘Social Districts’ for Public Consumption

Michigan legislators are considering a bill that would extend indefinitely delivery sales of alcoholic beverages for bars and restaurants and create “social districts” in which consumers would be able to drink beer, wine or spirits in a common area outside the walls or designated patio spaces of licensed establishments, according to MLive.com.

Brewers Association Cancels In-Person Great American Beer Festival; Event and Competition Move Online

Brewers Association Cancels In-Person Great American Beer Festival; Event and Competition Move Online

The largest beer festival in the U.S. will not take place in-person in 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. For the first time in the festival’s nearly 40-year history, the Brewers Association (BA) has canceled the 2020 edition of Great American Beer Festival, which was slated to take place September 24-26, and will instead move the event “to an immersive online experience” from October 16-17.

Craft Beer Festivals Across the Country Go Virtual During COVID-19 Pandemic

Craft Beer Festivals Across the Country Go Virtual During COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered nearly every facet of life and commerce, but one particular area stands to be gutted more than almost any other: large scale events. In the beer industry alone, event casualties are numerous, as the Brewers Association has now canceled three of its marquee events.

Press Clips: Dr. Fauci Cautions on Reopening Too Quickly; California ABC Warns Licensees Over 3rd Party Alcohol Deliveries to Minors

Press Clips: Dr. Fauci Cautions on Reopening Too Quickly; California ABC Warns Licensees Over 3rd Party Alcohol Deliveries to Minors

Dr. Anthony Fauci today cautioned against reopening businesses and other public gathering spaces before states meet guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An investigation by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) found that third-party delivery services are “routinely delivering alcoholic beverages to minors,” according to an industry advisory posted by the regulatory agency.