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CALENDAR
NOVEMBER 28: Thanksgiving
NOVEMBER 30: Small Business Saturday
DECEMBER 4: Nevada Tavern Owners Association Members Mixer
DECEMBER 5: Colorado Licensed Beverage Association Annual Holiday Event
DECEMBER 5: 80th Anniversary of Repeal Day
2014 Congressional Calendar (PDF)
2014 State Legislatures Calendar (PDF)
ABL & PUBLIC POLICY News
Study: Retailers Sharing Swipe Fee Savings
Banks have long claimed retailers would simply pocket the savings from the debit card swipe fee
reform that took effect two years ago. But a new report shows merchants have, in fact, passed
along savings to their customers.
Local shops think big as they prep for Small Business Saturday
As the big-box stores and malls ready the troops for their Black Friday doorbusters, a different
kind of retail prep is going on.
Bill would check FDA menu labeling
New legislation in the Senate would exempt pizza delivery joints and grocery stores from
upcoming federal rules requiring restaurants to post the number of calories in their food.
AFFILIATE News
Alaska CHARR
Study: Alaska's alcohol taxes rank among nation's highest
Licensed Beverage Dealers of South Dakota
South Dakota smoking ban: Three years later
INDUSTRY News
National Alcohol Beverage Control Association
Legislation - State Update (PDF)
Legislation - Category Update (PDF)
Regulatory Update (PDF)
STATE News
Colorado: Feds arrest one, seize guns and ammo in Colorado marijuana raids
When federal agents swooped into a swanky Cherry Hills Village home last week as part of
widespread raids tied to medical-marijuana businesses, they found a person inside holding a
loaded gun, according to a court document unsealed Monday.
Florida: Brewers push to end ban on beer 'growlers'
There are three growlers perched above the tap handles at Intuition Ale Works. One of the beer
jugs holds 32 ounces, another 64, and the largest 128. Two of them can be sold lawfully in
Florida; the third has a handwritten sign saying "Legalize it" as it sits on display at the brewery.
And it's probably not the one you'd guess.
Florida: Bottoms up: Orlando may ease Sunday alcohol sales
You may soon get a few extra hours to shop for your Super Bowl party or have a mimosa with
your Sunday brunch.
Iowa: Record Revenues and Effective Education
In fiscal year 2013, which ended June 30th, the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD) had a
record-breaking year in sales and funds generated for the State. The agency collected and
generated a record $119.5 million while focusing on evaluating delivery processes, facility
infrastructures and technologies to find efficiencies and prepare for growth. For the third year in
a row, the administration put great emphasis on education and outreach for licensees, partners,
stakeholders and citizens
Michigan: Overserving: State pushes for change
The head of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission says a Target 8 investigation into bars that
overserve shows a need to toughen penalties.
Michigan: Liquor Control Commission has a new tool for reducing underage drinking
To curb the dangers associated with underage and excessive drinking, the Michigan Liquor
Control Commission is introducing the newest section of their website, Prevention and
Education, a tool for parents, retailers and consumers.
Mississippi: Cracking Down On Underage Drinking
A statewide campaign is underway cracking down on underage drinking in Mississippi. This
recently resulted in 80 arrests in the state's three biggest college towns. MP's Jeffrey Hess
reports Mississippi's Attorney General says the crackdown is a warning underage drinkers across
the state.
Nebraska: Brewers want new laws crafted
Caleb Pollard spent 10 years working in economic development, so he thought he knew all about
red tape. Then he opened a brewery.
New Jersey: NJ Assembly Committee Advances Bill To Create Wine Board
A New Jersey General Assembly committee on Monday advanced a bill to create a new state
board charged with growing the state's wine industry, granting a wine industry advisory board a
wider range of duties and greater authority.
New York: Bloomberg Wants Restaurants to Compost
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who is slowly bringing New Yorkers around to the idea of recycling
their food scraps, is trying to expand his composting campaign by bringing it to large restaurants.
Ohio: Beer Entrepreneurs Fuel Comeback of Struggling Cleveland Neighborhood
In 1986 Pat Conway and his brother Dan had just signed a lease for the Cleveland building they
planned to turn into a microbrewery. They were so excited that they decided to drive by the
place and show it off to their wives.
Oregon: Liquor store owners wary of state plans to expand sales locations
Bottles of whiskey, vodka and Scotch could pop up on supermarket shelves if Oregon decides to
shake off an 80-year habit of selling liquor through state-licensed stores.
Rhode Island: Retailers await impact of liquor tax break
Just in time for holiday parties, Rhode Islanders are getting a rare tax break: that 7 percent sales
tax on liquor and wine goes away on Dec. 1.
Sorry, beer drinkers, there's no change on the cost of your drink of choice.
Utah: Audit details multiple 'weaknesses' in liquor system
Auditors have identified at least two dozen problems with the way the Department of Alcoholic
Beverage Control (DABC) operates Utah's liquor warehouse and retail store system.
Wisconsin: Banning Everclear, other high-proof liquors will be a tough sell, says bill author
Everclear, the popular high-proof booze commonly mixed with Red Bull, Gatorade or fruit juices
for a heart-racing, intoxicating effect, may soon be off-limits in Wisconsin.
BUSINESS & LIFESTYLE News
AAA Says Fewer Americans Are Traveling For Thanksgiving This Year. What Gives?
If you live in the U.S. and plan to travel this holiday week, you're not alone. According to AAA,
over 43 million Americans -- 43.4 million, to be exact -- are expecting to do the same.
Autumn With a Kick
Every craft cocktail bar worth their small-batch bitters has a seasonal menu. At Henry, A Liquor
Bar in the Hudson Hotel, the notion of seasonality is deconstructed a step further.
How Johnnie Walker Is Chasing The World's Middle Class
Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky is just about everywhere. You can find the distinctive square
bottle in bars, liquor stores and supermarkets from Milwaukee to Mumbai.
A-B InBev Plans 'Johnny Appleseed' Cider
Anheuser-Busch InBev will introduce a hard cider brand next year called Johnny Appleseed, the
latest sign that big brewers think the cider trend is here to stay.
New Belgium Snapshot Wheat Launching in 2014
New Belgium Brewing is proud to announce their newest year-round beer offering, Snapshot
Wheat. Snapshot, an unfiltered wheat beer with a citrusy nose, a sweet malt profile and a flash
of tart across the finish, will roll into all New Belgium markets in February, 2014.
Alcohol content in beer and wine has risen in recent years
When you go out to eat or to grab drinks with friends, you likely have a good idea about how
many alcoholic beverages you are able to consume while still being able to drive within the legal
limit. People tend to make such decisions based on the type of drink they are consuming and the
length of time they spend at the restaurant or bar before getting behind the wheel.
Senior Amazon executive predicts quantum leap in online alcohol sales
Senior Amazon executive Bram Duchovnay says the multinational sees enormous potential in
global alcohol sales but admits 'there is a tonne of stuff that we don't know at this point'.
Twitter bans underage followers from alcohol brands
Twitter has begun asking users who try to follow alcohol brands for their date of birth in order to
check they are above the legal minimum drinking age
Canada: Interactive map of liquor licences
The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCLGR), in partnership with
VicHealth, has developed an easy-to-use interactive map of Victorian liquor licences.