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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Proposed Senate Tax Bill Would Benefit Brewers

Proposed Senate Tax Bill Would Benefit Brewers

For the first time ever, beer excise tax reductions have been included in a comprehensive federal tax reform proposal. On Tuesday night, U.S. Senate Finance Committee chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) released a “Chairman’s Mark” to the Senate GOP’s version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

FDA Offers Additional Guidance on Menu Labeling

FDA Offers Additional Guidance on Menu Labeling

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) released its latest draft guidance for calorie-posting requirements on Tuesday, offering additional clarification for establishments in which alcoholic beverages are a regular part of menus.

North Carolina Guild Taps New Belgium Government Affairs Director as Exec Director

North Carolina Guild Taps New Belgium Government Affairs Director as Exec Director

The North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild has hired Andrew Lemley as the organization’s new executive director. Lemley comes to the Guild from New Belgium Brewing Company, where he most recently served for the last four years as the Fort Collins-headquartered brewery’s government affairs representative.

The Majority of US Senators Now Endorse Beer Excise Tax Reform

The Majority of US Senators Now Endorse Beer Excise Tax Reform

A majority of U.S. senate members now support legislation that would reduce excise taxes on all brewers and importers. According to a press release jointly produced by six beverage lobbying groups, including the Beer Institute and the Brewers Association, 51 senators have co-sponsored Senate Bill 236, known as the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA).

Craft Beer Guild to Again Appeal $2.6 Million ‘Pay-to-Play’ Fine

Craft Beer Guild to Again Appeal $2.6 Million ‘Pay-to-Play’ Fine

Massachusetts beer wholesaler Craft Beer Guild Thursday announced that it would appeal a judge’s order from earlier this week that upheld a $2.6 million fine for breaking state laws prohibiting unfair trade practices and illegal “pay-to-play” activities.

Craft Beer Attorney Coalition Member Awarded 2017 Brewers Association F.X. Matt Award

The Craft Beer Attorney Coalition (CBAC) is proud to announce that our Mississippi state member, Matthew McLaughlin of McLaughlin, PC and the Mississippi Brewers Guild was awarded the 2017 Brewers Association F.X. Matt Defense of the Craft Brewing Industry Award at the annual Craft Brewers Conference that took place April 11th-13th in Washington, D.C.