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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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.

Maine Brewpub Owner Defies Executive Order, Loses Licenses

Maine Brewpub Owner Defies Executive Order, Loses Licenses

As states grapple with reopening for business in face of the COVID-19 pandemic, one Maine brewpub owner opted to defy the reopening plan Gov. Janet Mills laid out last week that orders restaurants to remain shut for on-premise dining until June.

On-Premise Shutdowns Could Cost Beer Industry $8 Billion

On-Premise Shutdowns Could Cost Beer Industry $8 Billion

The near-nationwide shutdown of the on-premise channel will result in a loss of $8 billion for the beer industry if it continues into June, National Beer Wholesalers Association chief economist Lester Jones said during a State of the Industry webinar hosted by the NBWA and the Beer Institute (BI).

Brewers Association, Bottleshare Introduce Fund for Breweries, Guilds

Brewers Association, Bottleshare Introduce Fund for Breweries, Guilds

The Brewers Association (BA) today announced it has formed a partnership with nonprofit fundraising organization Bottleshare to establish the “Believe in Beer Fund” to support breweries and state brewers guilds across the country that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 Roundup: Germany Cancels 2020 Oktoberfest; California Beer Summit Cancelled; Monday Night Begins Rehiring

COVID-19 Roundup: Germany Cancels 2020 Oktoberfest; California Beer Summit Cancelled; Monday Night Begins Rehiring

German officials today cancelled the country’s famed Oktoberfest celebration due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. The California Craft Brewers Association — a nonprofit trade group that represents the interests of the state’s craft brewers — announced today the cancellation of its “Craft Beer Summit,” which was scheduled for September 9-12 in Long Beach.