Will the Illinois Legislature listen to the Biden administration’s view on the liquor industry?
The Treasury Department authored a report about the alcohol industry named, Competition in the Markets for Beer, Wine, and Spirits.
The report harped on the challenges facing smaller producers, and how markets must become more open and friendly for the small […]
I contributed to Blake Gray’s great piece on New York SLA’s decision on refusal to grant a retail liquor license on absurd grounds.
Playing economic Nostradamus SLA believed the store wouldn’t make money so they denied the license. They also ridiculed the applicant because “All the money appears to be coming from your wife, correct?”
Beyond […]
Teamsters, if Gallo then why not Beam
The California Teamsters Public Affairs Council and the big wholesalers are celebrating a soon to be revealed amendment to the California Direct Shipping Bill, which would limit spirits direct shipping to those distilleries producing less than 150,000 gallons. The limitation is portrayed as a way […]
Great to contribute to Blake Gray’s fantastic piece on the U.S. Treasury’s report on alcohol reform, which was much needed. What better way to make your 60th media appearance than being part of this article
Thank God California Teamsters Are Here to Save Us!
What is happening with the California Teamsters, are they finding religion on DTC shipping for spirits producers! Roughly three weeks ago, the Teamster had one of its members write a passionate plea about the ills of DTC spirits shipping, everything from the small […]
This just in, California SB 620 passes the Senate 23-2
Do California Wholesalers want Market Prohibition?
The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of California are launching a major effort to defeat SB 620,[1] which would allow distilleries to ship directly to California consumers. Their position is DTC shipping would threaten up to 10,000 union employee jobs, of course how they […]
Chicago’s Mandate to Bar and Restaurant Owners: Play Sheriff Now
Welcome to Chicago where crime is rampant and businesses and restaurants have been looted and burglarized in the most alarming of ways. Unable to effectively police crime to ensure safety for the hospitality industry, (several restaurant and bar owners have told me off record […]
Today, I write in response to a letter from Trevor Cooke, a Teamster that works for Republic National Distributing Company (a major liquor distributor), who wrote against California’s attempts to legalize DTC shipping for spirits.
I am sure Mr. Cooke was well intentioned, but I respectfully disagree with his reasoning.
He indicates that the attempts to expand […]
The Year the Battle begins
2020 and 2021 were interesting years in the liquor world, so what kind of encore will we have in 2022. Only the future will tell, but looking into the crystal ball, I see a year of great activity that could turn the liquor markets into different directions.