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CALENDAR
August 3-4 - National Beer Wholesalers Association | 3rd Annual Next Generation Conference | Denver, CO
August 9 - Mississippi Hospitality Beverage Association | Annual Convention|Philadelphia, MS
August 9-10 - Alabama Distiller's League / Alabama Beverage Licensees |Trade Show and Meeting | AL
September 8-10 - Beer Institute | Annual Meeting | Washington, DC
September 9-11 - Center for Alcohol Policy | Alcohol Law and Policy Conference | Chicago, IL
September 12-13 - American Beverage Licensees | Fall Board Meeting | Helena, MT
September 14-17 - Montana Tavern Association | Annual Convention & Trade Show | Helena, MT
September 17 - Tavern League of Wisconsin | 17th Annual State Golf Outing | Mishicot, WI
September 20-22 - Illinois Licensed Beverage Association | 130th Annual Convention | O'Fallon, IL
September 21-24 - Alaska CHARR | 45th Annual Convention | Fairbanks, AK
September 27-29 - Michigan Licensed Beverage Association | Fall Convention | Kalamazoo, MI
ABL & PUBLIC POLICY News
ABL Joins Beer Industry Partners for Capitol Hill Briefing
American Beverage Licensees (ABL) joined beer industry partners in a Capitol Hill briefing earlier this
week to highlight the positive economic impact of the beer industry on multiple sectors of the
American economy. Hosted by the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association,
and incorporating results from the recently released Beer Serves America economic impact report,
the panel brought together trade groups representing brewers, beer wholesalers, beer retailers and
aluminum can manufacturers.
Liquor store receives honor for dedication
A Seymour liquor store along with 20 others from across the nation have been recognized by
American Beverage Licensees for their success and dedication to the beverage alcohol industry.
House passes three-month highway bill
The House voted Wednesday to approve an $8 billion bill that would extend federal transportation
funding until the end of October, sending it to the Senate with just two days to go before the
nation's road and transit spending expires.
Senate approves six-year highway bill
The Senate passed its long-term highway bill Thursday, though their work on federal infrastructure
funding isn't over. Senators voted 65-34 to approve the six-year bill, which funds federal highway
and infrastructure projects for three years.
Senator Schumer pushing for technology to stop drunk driving
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer is co-sponsoring legislation that would advance drunk-driving
prevention technology known as "Driver Alcohol Detection System For Safety" (DADSS).
New Bill Seeks $48M For In-Vehicle Alcohol Detection
A new bill has been introduced that would provide funding to the Administrator of the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as part of a collaborative research effort to prevent
drunk driving injuries and fatalities.
Bill to end ban on shipping of alcohol via US Postal Service is back on the agenda
The USPS Shipping Equity Act - which seeks to end the ban on U.S. Postal Service (USPS) shipping of
alcoholic beverages - is back on the US Congressional agenda.
MARIJUANA
 Oregon To Begin Recreational Marijuana Sales Early
 Wash. sees spike in kids exposed to marijuana edibles
 Michigan Supreme Court: 'Inconsistencies' in medical marijuana law still causing
'confusion'
 Telling parents about marijuana: User, grower, dispensary owners and a marketer weigh
in
 The most pernicious marijuana myth, debunked
 New Marijuana Law Section in MI State Bar
 Marijuana Legalization Effort Hits Hurdles in Ohio
 CDC warns about dangers of marijuana edibles
 Marijuana legalization popular with N.H. voters
 There Are More Marijuana Legalization Initiatives than GOP Presidential Candidates
 Denver to Air America's First Pot TV Ad
AFFILIATE News
Malt Beverage Distributors Association of Pennsylvania
Are PA beer distributors unable to tap full potential of craft beer surge?
Liquor privatization veto won't end competition for PA beer distributors
INDUSTRY News
Beer Institute
Beer Institute Releases Domestic Tax Paid Estimate
U.S. Beer Industry Brews $253 Billion in Economic Activity and Serves Up 1.75 Million Jobs
National Beer Wholesalers Association
U.S. Beer Industry Brews $253 Billion in Economic Activity and Serves Up 1.75 Million Jobs
Entry Deadline Approaches for NBWA Third Annual "Share Your Story" Contest for First-Time
Convention Attendees
Captain "Sully" Sullenberger to Speak at NBWA's 78th Annual Convention and Trade Show
Register Now for NBWA's 78th Annual Convention and Trade Show, October 11 - 14 in Las
Vegas
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
TTB NEWSLETTER | Weekly News (July 31)
Frequently Asked Questions: Growlers
MEET The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America
Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America
Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) is the national trade
association representing the wholesale tier of the wine and spirits industry.
With 350 member companies across all 50 states and the District of
Columbia, WSWA is the voice for wholesalers in Congress, the executive
branch, the courts, with the news media and in communities across
America. Member firms represent more than 80% of the total U.S. wine and
spirits market. More information about the association is available at
www.wswa.org.
STATE News
Alabama: Alabama Alcohol Beverage Study Commission holds public hearing in Huntsville
The co-chairs of the Alabama Alcohol Beverage Study Commission will be joined by area
lawmakers for a public hearing today, July 28th, in Huntsville.
Arkansas: 21 out of 42 stores awarded liquor licenses in Saline County drawing
Twenty one liquor stores are coming to Saline County for the first time in decades. The Alcohol
Beverage Control Board awarded the liquor store permits to those picked out of a drawing on
Wednesday morning.
Arizona: Navajo Nation lawmakers pass bill to enact alcohol tax
Lawmakers on the Navajo Nation have approved legislation to tax alcoholic beverages sold in the
tribe's casinos. The 3.25 percent tax is expected to raise $73,000 a year. The revenue would go
into a fund administered by the tribe's Division of Public Safety to combat drunken driving on the
reservation.
California: Liquor lobby uncorks distillery bill
In May, the liquor lobby and Assemblyman Adam Gray combined to bottle up reasonable
legislation that sought to permit entrepreneurs who open small distilleries to sell their wares to
tourists who stop by for tastings.
Colorado: State gets tough on marijuana edibles following student death
Colorado now considers 10 milligrams as a "dose" of an edible. The marijuana-infused foods can
come in individual 10-milligram packages. Otherwise they are typically in separate pieces, such
as a package of 10 cookies that are 10 milligrams apiece.
Connecticut: Connecticut bans powdered alcohol
The first section of An Act Concerning Alcoholic Liquor defines powdered alcohol as "molecularly
encapsulated alcohol in powdered form that may be used in such form or reconstituted as an
alcoholic beverage when mixed with water or other liquid."
Florida: After law change, First Coast distillery unveils new vodka, gin brands
Floridians will now have a chance to buy more than two bottles at their favorite local distilleries.
Following a law change that went into effect July 1, patrons of distilleries will be able to buy two
bottles of each brand of liquor. Before the new law went into effect, each person was restricted
to two bottles of each kind of liquor.
Kentucky: Wet vote wins: Alcohol sales vote passes in Marshall County
Marshall County voters have chosen by a slim margin to allow alcohol sales for the first time
since 1938. The measure won by just 202 votes, with the unofficial total from the Tuesday
special election showing 6,431 in favor and 6,229 opposed. The measure allows both package
and by-the-drink sales across the county.
Maryland: Council Agrees On Partial Privatization of Liquor Control, But Some Want More
The Montgomery County Council Tuesday approved a resolution that could lead to partialprivatization of the county's Department of Liquor Control (DLC), especially when it comes to the
distribution of specialty craft beer and fine wines.
Maryland: Restaurant Owners Speak out in Support of Privatizing Portion of Liquor Control
Department
The refrain from Montgomery County restaurant owners at a public hearing Tuesday is familiar
to the members of the County Council's ad hoc committee on liquor control.
Maryland: On Loosening Some Alcohol Sales Rules, Montgomery County Makes It Official
For the first time since Prohibition ended in the U.S. more than 80 years ago, Maryland's
Montgomery County - which owns all the liquor stores within its borders - is taking steps to
privatize the sale of alcohol.
Missouri: Proposed Ban of Powdered Alcohol Back In 2016
A bill to ban it in Missouri didn't advance out of the committee process, but its sponsor,
Representative Patricia Pike (R-Adrian), says she'll try again in the 2016 session.
Missouri: New Study Shows Growing Importance of Missouri Wineries A new study by a
California-based firm underscores the growing importance of wineries on Missouri's economy.
According to study co-author Rob Morris, 2009 through 2013 the number of wineries grew from
97 to 128 with wine, grapes and related industries supporting nearly 15,000 jobs statewide.
Montana: Committed to Innovation
The Montana Liquor Control Division is a great example of this: through its commitment to
technological advances, the agency has created both an online licensing program and an online
training portal for its external partners. Additionally, the division has worked to expand
educational program offerings to collaborators across the state in an effort to maximize the
sharing of information and resources.
North Carolina: Adults who allow underage drinking can be charged in NC
Mixing adults, minors and alcohol at private parties is a dangerous cocktail in North Carolina.
Although it is legal in some states for minors to drink alcohol at private parties with permission
from their parents, North Carolina is not one of those states.
North Dakota: Special Enforcement Works to Lower DUI Statistics
Drunk drivers are accidents waiting to happen. The Highway Patrol made a special effort in June
to keep them off the road. Last month, 41 law enforcement agencies across the state
participated in a special enforcement effort to help lower DUI statistics, and it resulted in more
than 1,200 traffic stops.
Oregon: OLCC tries to keep pot ads from being too 'intoxicating'
The recreational marijuana market that will materialize on Jan. 4 will likely bring with it another
strange new sight for Oregonians: recreational marijuana marketing. But regulators say legal pot
ads almost certainly won't contain images of users inhaling the product, or praising its
"intoxicating" effect.
Oregon: What's that got to do with the price of pot in Portland? Oregon prepares for early
sales
For $15 to $20, Washington residents can pick up a gram of OG Silver Haze or Blackberry Kush at
the New Vansterdam store in Vancouver. A year after legalization, retail marijuana prices are
relatively stable.
Pennsylvania: Pa. budget stalemate: House speaker links liquor overhaul to new taxes
A leading proponent of liquor privatization in the Pennsylvania Legislature said Monday that
selling off the state stores must happen for any type of tax to be increased, with budget talks
deadlocked nearly a month into the state's new fiscal year.
Pennsylvania: Craft distilleries the next local booze boom?
Move over craft beer, there is a new booming business in booze: craft spirits. After changes to
state legislation, Midstate distillers are looking to resurrect spirits in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania: House speaker links liquor overhaul to new taxes for budget
A leading proponent of liquor privatization in the Pennsylvania Legislature said Monday that
selling off the state stores must happen for any type of tax to be increased, with budget talks
deadlocked nearly a month into the state's new fiscal year.
Pennsylvania: 12-pack sales are a case half full for beer distributors
The OK to sell 12-packs of beer was more than a case of simple division for Lenny Cordora. He
and other distributors across the state got the go ahead on March 6 from the Pennsylvania
Liquor Control Board, but had to wait before ringing up a sale. The holdup was whether they
could break up a case of 24 bottles or cans already in stock or send it back for newly packaged
product.
Tennessee: Tennessee Food Retailers Face Challenges In Readying For Wine Sales Next Year
A referendum to allow food retailers in Tennessee to sell wine passed everywhere it was on the
ballot last year. While getting that referendum on the November ballot was a long and
oftentimes arduous process, the challenges aren't over. Grocery stores in the 78 municipalities
where wine sales will be allowed in less than a year-on July 1, 2016-are now faced with making
sure provisions of the new law are met.
Texas: Wal-Mart Suit Over Texas Liquor Permit Ban Moves Forward
Law260, New York (July 24, 2015, 9:28 PM ET) - A Texas federal judge refused Friday to dismiss
Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s claims that a state ban on publically traded companies selling distilled
liquors violates parts of the Constitution, saying the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission failed
to adequately justify the rule, but tossed a claim unavailable to corporation.
Utah: Utah liquor board OKs 1st tasting permit for a distillery
Utah liquor bosses granted special permission Tuesday for a distillery to offer a broad selection
of whiskey samples, opening the door for more distillers and breweries to seek similar
exemptions under the state's knotty alcohol laws.
Virginia: Law will make it easier for distilleries to connect with customers
First, there were microbreweries, then boutique wineries. Now, the craft distilleries are coming.
Actually, they are already here. There are 113 small distilleries in the state, including a handful in
Snohomish County.
Virginia: Virginia Tech to sell beer in club seats at Lane Stadium
For the first time, some Virginia Tech fans will be able to buy a beer while watching a football
game at Lane Stadium. Tech plans to introduce beer and wine sales in the indoor club seats at
Lane Stadium this season, following an emerging nationwide trend as college athletic
departments look to generate more revenue to cover the rising cost of doing business, including
cost-of-attendance stipends for players.
Wisconsin: Alcohol-related fatalities dropping in Wisconsin
Alcohol-related fatalities in Wisconsin have dropped by nearly 50 percent over the past decade,
due in large part to targeted enforcement and public awareness campaigns, state transportation
officials say.
BUSINESS & LIFESTYLE News
Booze around the world
The world may be getting warmer, but it is not getting much wetter. It quaffed 249 billion litres
of alcoholic drinks in 2014, a modest increase of 1 billion over the preceding year. When
measured by intake per head of the drinking-age population, consumption is down a little from a
peak of 56.6 litres in 2012 to 55.4 litres in 2014.
New MillerCoors CMO Says Marketing Has Been 'Too Scattered'
When interim MillerCoors CEO Gavin Hattersley announced that Innovation VP David Kroll would
replace Andy England as the brewer's new chief marketing officer, he did not mince words.
Beer border battle
This was a different kind of disagreement between Ohio and Michigan; this had to do with where
small quantities of beer were being purchased. In this Toledo News-Bee photograph, inspectors
from the Ohio Department of Liquor Control confiscated bottles of beer as they searched cars at
the Ohio-Michigan state line July 27, 1935. Agent Carl Morris is at left, with Ray O'Brien, who is
picking up the bottles of beer.
Modern moonshine
We are currently producing over 13 billion gallons of ethanol in the United States each year. It is
corn based and winds up in your gas tank. It shouldn't be that much of a reach to realize
converting low value grain into high value alcohol is in a farmer's DNA. It was just done in a much
different way beginning in the 1700s.
Wine trade group, wineries sue over Illinois shipping
The Wine Institute and three Napa County wineries have filed a lawsuit against the Illinois
Department of Revenue and Attorney General's Office over a dispute on whether they should
have charged tax on shipping fees for online purchases into the state.
Kentucky Distillery Uses Subwoofers To Age Brandy
The distillery has subwoofers next to barrels of brandy - convinced the thumping bass helps with
the aging process. Some say vibrations make alcohol circulate more in the oak, adding to the
flavor.
Inside Anheuser-Busch's craft beer deals
The beer business in the United States has been a classic David versus Goliath battle for the last
couple of decades. On one side was industry leader Anheuser-Busch InBev and its nearly 50
percent share of the U.S. beer market. On the other side was a growing group of upstart brewers
with limited production, but big dreams in their heads and big hops in their brews.
Here's why (and where) we're buying craft beer, according to Nielsen data
We each have our own reasons for drinking craft beer, whether that has to do with flavor,
consumer values, or just to fit in with our friends. It's interesting, though, to peek at why other
people buy craft beer, and whether those motivations align with how we imagine "craft
drinkers" as a whole. (After all, we do often think of ourselves as some sort of a clan, no?)
Templeton Rye reaches lawsuit settlement, will pay refunds
If you've ever bought a bottle of Templeton Rye Whiskey, you might be due a refund. Under a
preliminary settlement announced Tuesday, anyone who has bought a bottle of Templeton Rye
since 2006 is entitled to a refund of $3 per bottle, up to six bottles, if lacking proof of purchase.
For anyone with proof of purchase, the refund is double: $6 per bottle, up to six bottles.
The most popular liquor in every state
Every drinker has his or her poison of choice, but it turns out that every state does, too.
BARTRENDr, a social app for drinkers to connect with one another, analyzed data from its
700,000 users to determine the most popular liquor brand in every state based on posts and
photos of the liquors its users like to drink.
The Most Sought-After Bottles Of Liquor In 2014
In 2013, whiskey overtook vodka as the number-one spirit in America, so it's no surprise that the
most sought-after spirits of 2014 were whiskeys too.
Craft beer growth posts solid numbers ... again
The taps continue to flow for the craft beer industry. American craft beer production volume
rose 16 percent from January through the end of June 2015 as compared to the same time last
year, according to mid-year data released Monday by the Brewers Association.
These 11 brewers make over 90% of all U.S. beer
The Brewers Association craft beer industry group tells us there are more than 3,400 breweries
in the U.S., the most since 1873, and that choice abounds. However, about 1,400 of those are
brewpubs that aren't putting beers on bar taps or store shelves. Also, the 1,900 or so
microbreweries that exist are competing in a U.S. beer market in which exactly nine companies
controlled 90% of all beer sold here in 2014, according to Beer Marketer's Insights.
The Scientifically Made, Great Tasting THC Soda - Sprig - Launches in Southern California
The creators of Sprig -- the delicious, refreshing, THC-infused citrus soda -- announced that
distribution of the product has begun in Southern California and is now available in select
medical marijuana dispensaries. Sprig is the first scientifically made, low dose THC beverage in
California. Sprig advocates a safe, social, light-use message for new and experienced cannabis
consumers.
Berger: Should US lower some wine taxes?
In view of the fact that the federal levy on wine is a two-tier tax, it seems obvious that the
government views different kinds of wine in different ways. The rules were formulated decades
ago.