We have updated and republished this March 2024 blog post for a year-end summary.
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s (TTB) Office of Field Operations is responsible for ensuring industry members comply with...more
Hemp and low-dose delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) beverages continue to flood the marketplace. Depending on the state, these products can be purchased in liquor stores, gas stations, grocery stores, bars, restaurants,...more
We frequently receive questions about the differences between contract brewing and alternating proprietorships, as well as questions concerning the key details the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and other...more
The final quarter of the year is the alcohol industry’s busiest period, accounting for approximately 70% of annual business. Many holiday-themed seasonal products are beginning to make their way to market, and it is important...more
9/9/2024
/ Advertising ,
Beer ,
Beverage Manufacturers ,
Distilleries ,
Labeling ,
Marketing ,
Product Labels ,
Product Packaging ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
State and Local Government ,
TTB ,
Wine & Alcohol
On July 17, 2024, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed SB 688 into law, expanding the number of available outlets that can sell ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs) across the state.
The new law defines “Ready-to-drink...more
Nonalcoholic beverages infused with delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) derived from hemp (aka intoxicating hemp beverages) are becoming increasingly popular for consumers looking for an alternative to alcohol....more
As we enter 2024, more and more brands are joining the nonalcoholic beverage space. An increasing variety of nonalcoholic, single-serve, ready-to-drink beverages are marketing the innovative use of indigenous botanicals,...more
If a large beverage company is considering purchasing or selling a craft beverage producer, it’s essential to understand how the craft producer may lose its earlier eligibility for reduced tax rates under the Craft Beverage...more
In 2022, the alcohol industry saw significant developments in the regulatory space. As we look to 2023, industry leaders continue to adapt to the changing needs of consumers, driving more innovation than we’ve seen in years...more
1/20/2023
/ Beer ,
Beverage Manufacturers ,
Breweries ,
Continuing Legal Education ,
Direct to Consumer Sales ,
Distilleries ,
E-Commerce ,
Enforcement Priorities ,
Liquor Licences ,
Price Inflation ,
Product Packaging ,
Sustainability ,
TTB ,
Webinars ,
Wine & Alcohol ,
Wineries
In the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s (TTB) final Industry Circular of the year, they provided DSPs guidance on how to calculate effective tax rates for distilled spirits products eligible for the Craft Beverage...more
1/5/2023
/ Advertising ,
Beverage Manufacturers ,
Certainty of Tax Law Act ,
Distilleries ,
FAA Modernization and Reform Act ,
Importers ,
Imports ,
Social Media ,
Tax Benefits ,
Tax Rates ,
TTB ,
Wine & Alcohol
The alcohol industry has proven to be quite resilient in 2022. As palates change and customers seek exciting new flavors and compositions, companies must be nimble to keep up with consumers’ needs and demands. Producers and...more
11/4/2022
/ Beer ,
Beverage Manufacturers ,
Breweries ,
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil ,
Cannabis Products ,
Continuing Legal Education ,
Direct to Consumer Sales ,
Distilleries ,
Enforcement Priorities ,
Labeling ,
TTB ,
U.S. Treasury ,
Webinars ,
Wine & Alcohol ,
Wineries
The alcohol industry has proven to be quite resilient in 2022. As palates change and customers seek exciting new flavors and compositions, companies must be nimble to keep up with consumers’ needs and demands. Producers and...more
9/15/2022
/ Beer ,
Beverage Manufacturers ,
Breweries ,
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil ,
Cannabis Products ,
Continuing Legal Education ,
Direct to Consumer Sales ,
Distilleries ,
Enforcement Priorities ,
Labeling ,
TTB ,
U.S. Treasury ,
Webinars ,
Wine & Alcohol ,
Wineries
The increasing popularity of online shopping is placing e-commerce businesses—specifically those in the alcohol beverage industry—in legal crosshairs. In lockstep with a recent uptick in website accessibility cases, plaintiff...more
The ready-to-drink cocktail or “RTD” category has exploded in recent years, and it’s occupied by more than merely craft distillers familiar with a carefully made cocktail. Brewers, distillers and even vintners have joined in,...more
Over the last year, the alcohol industry has continued to feel the impact of COVID-19. From distributors and manufacturers to retailers and the hospitality industry overall, everyone had to adapt quickly or risk being left...more
12/23/2021
/ Beer ,
Beverage Manufacturers ,
Breweries ,
Continuing Legal Education ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Direct to Consumer Sales ,
Distilleries ,
Distributors ,
Diversity ,
E-Commerce ,
Minority-Owned Businesses ,
Retailers ,
Supply and Demand ,
Supply Chain ,
Webinars ,
Wine & Alcohol ,
Wineries
Alcohol beverage companies must contend with an ever-evolving regulatory landscape, including unpacking the new environment under US President Joe Biden’s executive order on competition. How do you differentiate as a brand...more
9/15/2021
/ Advertising ,
Advertising Substantiation ,
Beer ,
Beverage Manufacturers ,
Brand ,
Breweries ,
Competition ,
Consumer Protection Laws ,
Contests & Promotions ,
Continuing Legal Education ,
Contract Negotiations ,
Direct to Consumer Sales ,
Distilleries ,
E-Commerce ,
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ,
Influencers ,
Product Labels ,
Risk Mitigation ,
Shipping ,
Social Media ,
Sweepstakes ,
TTB ,
Webinars ,
Wine & Alcohol ,
Wineries
As alcohol products compete in an increasingly competitive marketplace, how do you differentiate as a brand while being mindful of regulatory landmines? Join us for the second webinar in our Alcohol Quarterly Update Series on...more
8/2/2021
/ Advertising ,
Advertising Substantiation ,
Beer ,
Beverage Manufacturers ,
Brand ,
Breweries ,
Competition ,
Consumer Protection Laws ,
Contests & Promotions ,
Continuing Legal Education ,
Contract Negotiations ,
Direct to Consumer Sales ,
Distilleries ,
E-Commerce ,
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ,
Influencers ,
Product Labels ,
Risk Mitigation ,
Shipping ,
Social Media ,
Sweepstakes ,
TTB ,
Webinars ,
Wine & Alcohol
In the first of our quarterly webinar series, we will discuss how the pandemic influenced the way we buy alcohol.
According to Forbes, the global e-commerce market for spirits and wine doubled in 2020. As the pandemic...more
4/9/2021
/ Beer ,
Beverage Manufacturers ,
Breweries ,
Direct to Consumer Sales ,
Distilleries ,
Distributors ,
E-Commerce ,
Enforcement ,
Liquor ,
Out-of-State Residents ,
Webinars ,
Wine & Alcohol ,
Wineries
The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, also known as Proposition 65 (Prop 65), was enacted as a ballot initiative and requires businesses to inform Californians about exposures to chemicals that are known...more
3/26/2021
/ Alcohol Beverage Control ,
Beer ,
Beverage Manufacturers ,
BPA ,
Cancer ,
Compliance ,
Proposition 65 ,
Safe Drinking Water Act ,
State and Local Government ,
Toxic Chemicals ,
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) ,
Warning Labels ,
Wine & Alcohol
Recently, Oregon issued clarification pertaining to the classification of hard seltzers in the state. The guidance, as summarized below, impacts the majority of hard seltzers in the market. Classification of hard seltzer has...more
1/12/2021
/ Alcohol Beverage Control ,
Beverage Manufacturers ,
Distributors ,
Excise Tax ,
Imports ,
Licenses ,
Licensing Rules ,
New Guidance ,
Oregon ,
Tax Liability ,
Warehouses ,
Wholesale
When you think of the relationship between alcohol and food, the classics come to mind: tiramisu, coq au vin and beer cheese. While there is a long culinary tradition of using alcohol in food, the newest trend is to utilize...more
As part of the general move to better-for-you beverages, non-alcoholic (NA) options have been and will likely continue to be on the rise. However, how NA is treated, or not treated, as “beer” has significant impact on its...more
To meet the growing need for hand sanitizing products, various federal agencies including the Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Federal Drug Administration (FDA), Health and Human Services (HHS) and Congress have...more
4/1/2020
/ Alcohol Beverage Control ,
Beverage Manufacturers ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ,
HCEI ,
Health Care Providers ,
Healthcare ,
Labeling ,
Manufacturers ,
Medical Devices ,
Off-Label Use ,
Personal Care Products ,
Pharmaceutical Industry ,
Product Labels ,
Public Health ,
Safer Consumer Product Regulations ,
TTB
In another blow to the constitutionality of alcohol beverage laws, the Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit struck down on First Amendment grounds a number of Missouri’s alcohol beverage advertising laws on the basis that...more