www.ablusa.org | www.facebook.com/ablusa | www.twitter.com/ablusa
CALENDAR
JULY 15-17 - Beer Institute Annual Meeting | Chicago, IL
JULY 20-23 - Wine & Spirits Guild of America Summer Meeting | Seattle, WA
JULY 23 - Responsible Hospitality Institute Webinar: Safety and Security in Nightlife Venues
JULY 29-30 - Texas Package Stores Association 66th Annual Trade Show & Convention | Arlington, TX
ABL & PUBLIC POLICY News
White House delays health-care rule that certain businesses provide insurance to workers
The White House on Tuesday delayed for one year a requirement under the Affordable Care Act
that businesses provide health insurance to employees, a fresh setback for President Obama's
landmark health-care overhaul as it enters a critical phase.
As rules change, more retailers offer discounts for cash payments
When Ulika Jesus found his business deep in the red last year, he began offering discounts to
customers who set aside their credit cards and paid with cash instead.
Walmart, McDonalds, Walgreens Cheating Hourly Workers? NY AG Investigates Use Of Prepaid
Payroll Cards
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman wants to know if employees of some retail giants
are being sold short. The investigation is not so much about wages but rather how the wages
are paid out by employers.
The Dirty Dozen: 12 States That Bet Big on Sin
Among tax levies, so-called sin taxes are among the most controversial. Critics argue that adding
costs to alcohol, cigarettes, betting on ponies and the like unfairly hurts lower-income people.
Proponents say the taxes promote health -- making cigarettes more expensive, for example, thus
reducing smoking -- a consequence that seems true, according to many studies. States say they
put the revenue to good use, for schools and health-care services.
Missouri liquor wars a 'national test case'
A recent circuit court ruling set the stage for a prolonged fight between local distributor Major
Brands and national supplier Diageo - the latest move in Missouri's liquor wars, which the Wall
Street Journal labels a "national test case" for the future of the franchise distribution system.
ABL AFFILIATE News
Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers
Guess Who's Fighting To Keep Indiana Dry On Sundays?
INDUSTRY News
Beer Institute
Beer Sales Could Top $1 Billion Again This July Fourth
Beverage Media Group
Know The Law: TTB Extends Mandatory Statements to Internet
Brewers Association
Homebrewing Officially Legal in All 50 States
Distilled Spirits Council of the United States
Campari America Chief Elected Chairman of the Distilled Spirits Council
STATE News
Alabama: Alabama ranks 22nd in beer consumption
Alabama ranks 22nd in the nation when it comes to beer consumption, down slightly from the
beer swilling numbers it posted the year prior, according to a new report.
Indiana: Task force targets underage drinking
A crackdown on underage drinking in Hancock County has begun with the creation of a new task
force dedicated to enforcing laws on minor consumption.
Indiana: Major Retail Deal In Indiana As Big Red Acquires 24-Unit United Package Liquors
Bloomington, Indiana-based retailer Big Red Liquors has acquired United Package Liquors for an
undisclosed sum. Under the deal, Big Red will take over United Package's 24 Indianapolis retail
locations and rebrand them as Big Red stores.
Iowa: State alcohol delivery trucks carrying tourism message
The State of Iowa and a dozen Iowa cities have split the $50,000 cost of an 18-month-long
"rolling billboard" campaign to promote tourism within the state.
Maine: New state liquor contract nearly ready to bid; 'prices will go down' says state alcohol
chief
The head of Maine's alcohol bureau has wanted to take a swing at New Hampshire. Maine is
weeks from putting its new, 10-year liquor contract out to bid, and unlike the current contract, it
leaves the state with more money and more room to target liquor sales continually lost to New
Hampshire.
Maryland: Bethesda Favorite Celebrates New Beer Growler Law
Bradley Food and Beverage (6904 Arlington Rd.) this week celebrated a new beer growler law it
helped initiate last year.
Michigan: Refillable Growler Bill Has Been Signed by Governor Snyder
Senate Bill 27, which allows eligible bar and restaurant licensees to have the ability to fill
growlers of beer, has been signed by Gov. Snyder. Previously, growlers were only allowed to be
filled at microbreweries and brewpubs. This is now Public Act 101.
New Jersey: Liquor bill gets Senate OK
The state Senate on Thursday approved a bill that would update New Jersey's liquor laws by
creating a craft distillery license.
New York: Booze Crews - NY liquor inspectors drink up on taxpayers' tab, Daily News finds
New York State Liquor Authority inspectors are drinking away your tax dollars. The probers are
racking up pricey booze bills while investigating restaurants suspected of illegally serving
alcoholic drinks outdoors, the Daily News has learned.
North Carolina: Law enforcement to team up on DWI campaign
The N.C. Highway Patrol, the Wildlife Resources Commission and the Alcohol Law Enforcement
Division will be ramping up DWI enforcement across the state with this week's "On the Road, On
the Water, Don't Drink & Drive" campaign.
Oregon's new 'wine growler law' permits selling wine to go
Something has changed about the way we buy wine in Oregon. And this may directly affect your
Independence Day plans.
Pennsylvania: Liquor privatization not dead, Pennsylvania lawmakers say
Forgive Pennsylvanians if they feel like Charlie Brown lining up to kick the football when they
hear lawmakers say they are closer than ever to getting the state out of the booze business.
Pennsylvania: How Pa. legislators blew liquor privatization
It's Friday night, a little after 8 p.m. in the state Capitol and Republican state senators have just
emerged from a four-hour closed-door meeting on a bill to overhaul Pennsylvania's state liquor
laws. Nearby, in the rotunda that is usually darkened and empty by this hour, there is a buzz of
activity.
Pennsylvania: Lobbyists lick their wounds and dream of another day: column
For the past several months, an army of Republican lobbyists have pried, pressured, and praised
Pennsylvania lawmakers in an attempt to get Gov. Tom Corbett's 'big three' agenda items
passed.
South Carolina: Columbia hires private lawyer to fight its own zoning board
Columbia City Council has hired a specialized lawyer to intercede in zoning cases that deal with
alcohol sales, sometime siding against the city board that authorized the sales.
Tennessee: News laws in TN crack down on DUIs
Driving under the influence just became much harder in Tennessee after a round of new laws
were passed to drastically halt, or at the least interfere with, DUIs and those using synthetic
drugs.
Wisconsin: Milton proposal would bar bartenders from being drunk at work
If you're a bartender too drunk to lift your head off the bar, you probably shouldn't be serving
alcohol to patrons. At least that's the idea the city of Milton and its police department are
proposing.
BUSINESS & LIFESTYLE News
CHART - Top 100 retailers
The retail industry is a many-splintered thing, with the variations clearly showcased in the annual
STORES Top 100 Retailers report.
After 80 years, Diageo calls time on prohibition laws
The prohibition era might have come to an end in the Thirties, but its fingerprints can still be
seen across much of America.
Too Much of a Good Thing? Concerns About Craft-Beer Saturation
We are undoubtedly living through a beer renaissance. In the late '70s, there were just 44
brewing companies in the entire U.S. Now, there are roughly 2,500 - including 409 new craft
brewers added just last year. Another 1,250 breweries are in the works. Growth has been so
explosive that the question is inevitable: When, if ever, will the craft craze level off?
The world's 10 largest spirit brands
Global spirits consumption continued to gain pace in both established and emerging markets in
2012, with the world's 10 largest spirit brands collectively accounting for 238 million cases sales.
Johnnie Walker's brand value hits US$4.37bn
Johnnie Walker has extended its lead at the top of the BrandFinance Drinks 50 from US$400m to
a staggering US$2 billion. The annual study, conducted by brand valuation agency Brand Finance,
ranks the World's biggest drinks brands by their brand value. This year Johnnie Walker has seen
its brand value increase by a colossal 80% to US$4.37bn.
Cava Seeks to Make a New Name for Itself
The Spanish sparkling wine is dismissed as merely simple and fun, but one producer hopes to
change its image by changing its name, to Conca del Riu Anoia
Homebrewing Now Legal in all 50 States
Homebrewers can legally brew in every state in the country, as recently passed homebrewing
legislation takes effect in Mississippi, according to the American Homebrewers Association
UK: Concern over teenagers buying alcohol via online shopping
A total of 21% of 14-15 year olds questioned for the Alcohol Concern Cymru Wales-wide survey
said they had bought alcohol online