The Craft Beverage Expo is right around the corner, and there is still time to register! This inaugural event takes place in San Jose, CA on May 6 – 8, 2014, and the Stoel Rives Beverage & Hospitality Group has you covered! We are pleased to offer our blog subscribers a $100 discount off
Alcohol and Liquor
Distribution Agreements: Cover Your Bases!
Before entering into a distribution agreement, alcohol beverage producers should do their homework. Here is a list of questions to ask a potential distributor:
- Where are you doing business as a distributor?
- How long have you been in business?
- How did you get started?
- Is your state a franchise state?
- Are you affiliated with a
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Oregon Liquor Privatization Rejected in 2014 Legislature
Late last week, Oregon lawmakers shot down SB 1559, a bill that proposed what some called a compromise on liquor privatization in Oregon. It would have allowed grocery stores 10,000 square feet or more to sell liquor from their shelves, while keeping the Oregon Liquor Control Commission in control of the supply. Lawmakers sent…
Federal Officials Mull Changes to Alcohol Label Approval Process
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) official Susan Evans, the Executive Liaison for State and Industry Matters, talked about ways to streamline the federal label approval process at the June 2013 National Conference of State Liquor Administrators (NCSLA) that I attended in Honolulu. Speaking on a panel, she said that the TTB has experienced reduced staffing and declining budgets, which have slowed down two of its major functions: permitting and approving labels.
According to Ms. Evans, nearly 25,000 permittees submit certificate of label approvals (COLAs) to TTB . Last year TTB received over 145,000 COLA applications. In the last two years, TTB has imposed fewer restrictions and qualifications, updated the COLA form to allow changes that may be made to labels without TTB approval, and established a virtual file room for processing paper applications electronically.
In addition, TTB recently reviewed the label approval program and concluded the following:Continue Reading Federal Officials Mull Changes to Alcohol Label Approval Process
Dinner and a Movie for the Whole Family!
Movie theaters with restaurant-style food service will reach a broader audience with the recent signing into law of a bill passed by the Washington State Legislature allowing service of food and alcoholic beverages to their patrons. The law as currently written allows some service of alcohol in movie theaters, but requires exclusion of minors from the premises. The new law will create a new, more family friendly, beer, wine and spirits license for theaters. The license will allow minors if certain conditions are met and approved by the Washington State Liquor Control Board, such as submission of an alcohol control plan outlining the methods to prevent minors from obtaining alcohol, similar to plans that are required for clubs and show venues that host all‑ages concerts. Theaters will also be required to meet food and service requirements, similar to restaurants, to qualify for the license. (Senate Bill 5607 as Passed by Legislature)Continue Reading Dinner and a Movie for the Whole Family!
Rick Garza to Lead Washington State Liquor Control Board
Stoel Rives LLP offers its congratulations to Rick Garza on his appointment as Director of the Washington State Liquor Control Board. Today the agency issued a press release announcing the appointment will be effective June 1, 2013. Garza will be assuming leadership in a time of unprecedented change – the agency is on the tail end…
Sales Limit Increase Could Give Washington State Craft Distilleries More Momentum in the Retail Market
This week, a bill passed the Washington legislature that will allow a craft distillery to sell more of its product to customers visiting its distillery.
House Bill 1149 has been sent to Governor Inslee to sign in to law, amending RCW 66.24.145 to allow a craft distillery to sell a maximum of three liters of…
A Battle is Brewing in Utah over Alcohol Reform
As the Utah Legislature wrapped up its session this week, it appears that a battle is brewing between the House and Senate over alcohol reform. Citing a concern with the “culture of alcohol,” the Senate declined to support many of the measures the House approved this session. The House voted to eliminate the so-called “Zion …
Utah Legislative Wrap-Up on Alcohol Amendments
Only two proposed amendments to Utah’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Act passed during the most recent session of the Utah Legislature, which concluded on March 14th. H.B. 240 passed earlier in the session and addresses the “intent to dine” issue we reported on previously. Under the change, a restaurant licensee must confirm that a patron has…
Utah Alcohol Legislation Update
S.B. 261 passed out of the Senate Business and Labor Committee this morning. The amendments address many industry concerns we reported on earlier this week. Notably, the requirement that a patron must be “seated” to be served or consume alcohol has been removed from the bill. The amendments also clarify that the new enforcement provisions…