Russia cracks down on vodka kingpins in tax scam

Russia cracks down on vodka kingpins in tax scam   Source: RT.com 17 Feb, 2016   Armed FSB and Federal Tax Service officers have raided Russia’s largest vodka bottler and several Caucasian liquor producers in a massive tax evasion case, business daily Vedomosti reports.   A hundred law enforcement agents including a special tactics group […]

Iowa: Iowa Legislature serves up flight of alcohol bills

Iowa: Iowa Legislature serves up flight of alcohol bills   Distilleries have to go through a convoluted regulatory process to get their liquor into your hands. Here’s a look at how it works.   Source: Des Moines Register Brianne Pfannenstiel February 16, 2016   Growlers from brewpubs. Self-serve alcohol. Cocktail lounges at Iowa distilleries.   […]

Pennsylvania: Pa. High Court To Decide If Gas Stations Can Sell Beer

Pennsylvania: Pa. High Court To Decide If Gas Stations Can Sell Beer   Source: Law360 By Dan Packel February 16, 2016   The Pennsylvania Supreme Court said Tuesday that it would hear an industry group representing beer distributors’ appeal of a 2015 decision that allowed Sheetz Inc. to sell alcohol at locations that also sell […]

How alcohol can improve your memory

How alcohol can improve your memory   A few drinks may disrupt the memory system – but in certain circumstances, they can actually aid recall. In this extract from his new book, Idiot Brain, neuroscientist Dean Burnett explains why gossip and booze go hand in hand   Source: The Guardian Dean Burnett 16 February 2016 […]

Healthy Alcohol Marketplace – 2016 Issue Briefs Now Available

Healthy Alcohol Marketplace – 2016 Issue Briefs Now Available   Source: Public Action Management February 16, 2016   A new publication is now available from the Healthy Alcohol Marketplace website, www.healthyalcoholmarket.com.  This publication, “2016 Issue Briefs for States, Brief  Explanations  of Common Alcohol Regulatory Issues”, is a package of simple briefs that address common issues […]

Louisiana: Alcohol tax increase probable

Louisiana: Alcohol tax increase probable   Source: The Times By Noah Bryant Ballard February 15, 2016   For the most part, Louisiana has not raised taxes on alcohol since 1948. That is likely to change as the State Legislature works to address an historic budget crisis.   State Rep. Kenny Cox, D-Natchitoches, has filed legislation […]

Craft brewers count pennies instead of calories

Craft brewers count pennies instead of calories   Source: USA Today James Fisher, The (Wilmington, Del.) News Journal February 14, 2016   The federal government wants you to know how many calories you are putting into your body.   So much so that starting next year, all restaurants with at least 20 locations will be […]

Cocktails Sip Away at Beer’s Market Share

Cocktails Sip Away at Beer’s Market Share   Liquor industry makes remarkable comeback, helped by TV ads, fickle young drinkers   Source: WSJ By Tripp Mickle Feb. 15, 2016   Shortly after finishing a full-bodied India pale ale, Jack Knauss asked the bartender at Atkins Park Tavern for a cocktail.   “I love beer,” the […]

WSWA President and CEO Statement on TTB Ruling 2016-1

WSWA President and CEO Statement on TTB Ruling 2016-1   Wholesaler Association Chief Says Ruling Underscores Independence, Separation of Tiers   Source: WSWA February 12, 2016   Wine & Spirts Wholesalers of America (WSWA) President and CEO Craig Wolf today issued the following statement regarding ruling 2016-1 published February 11 by the Alcohol and Tobacco […]