It seems that not all the world’s problems can be solved with beer, even those of the craft beer world. In September, Boston Beer Co., brewers of the famed Samuel Adams Boston Lager, filed suit in federal court against San Francisco-based Anchor Brewing Co. of Anchor Steam acclaim. These two craft beer heavyweights are poised [...]
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According to Land of Amber Waters, by Doug Hoverson, nearly 300 breweries have opened and operated at one time or another in 125 cities and towns around the State of Minnesota. Prior to prohibition, many, if not most, of these breweries were started to supply beer to relatively small communities throughout the State. After prohibition, [...]
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Over the past several years, Community Supported Agriculture (“CSA”) has gained significant popularity among urban American households. If you’re not familiar with the term, CSA is an alternative model of agriculture and food distribution whereby members pledge support to a farming operation in exchange for “shares” of food. Usually, the food consists of sustainably grown [...]
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In a relatively swift response to recent changes in Wisconsin’s three-tier laws, lawmakers are looking to introduce legislation that would limit the application of the new laws to brewers who produce 300,000 barrels or more per year. The proposed exemption, authored by Rep. Janis Ringhand D-Evansville, would effectively allow smaller brewers to purchase distributorships, which [...]
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The Small Brewery Reinvestment and Expanding Workforce (“BREW”) Act (H.R. 1236 and S. 534 in the House and Senate, respectively) is currently making its way through the U.S. Congress. The Act would raise the annual production threshold to qualify for a lower rate of federal excise tax for certain production volumes. The Act essentially redefines [...]
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In the 2005 case Granholm v. Heald, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized that states have broad power to regulate alcohol under section 2 of the 21st Amendment. However, the Court ruled that state power under the 21st Amendment is tempered by the so-called Dormant Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Accordingly, states are not allowed [...]
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Pint of Law has already written an article about how and whether the Minnesota government shutdown will affect the brewing industry. But today’s announcement that MillerCoors is being forced to pull its products from Minnesota liquor stores, bars, and restaurants is worthy of its own post. Under Minnesota law, breweries must register their brand labels [...]
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A Michigan bill that would allow homebrewed beer to be served at brewpubs and restaurants for club meetings and competitions has just been scheduled for a July 13 hearing before the Senate Regulatory Reform Committee. The bill, H.B. 4061, cleared the Michigan House on June 23, 2011, by a landslide vote of 105 to 5. [...]
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In October 14, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed into law H.R. 1337, an Act that, among other things, fundamentally changed the legal landscape for homebrewers in the United States. H.R. 1337 amended section 5053(e) of the Internal Revenue Code, providing a limited tax exemption for beer produced “for personal and family use and not for [...]
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Due to a budget impasse between the State Legislature and Governor Mark Dayton, the Minnesota government has begun a state-wide shutdown of unprecedented magnitude. Only a handful of state agency functions and services will continue to operate. Will this affect Minnesota brewers? The most obvious effect will likely be related to licensing activities. In Minnesota, [...]
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