President Trump is strongly considering a 10% tariff on all foreign goods, which he believes will bring back more manufacturing to the U.S. and build a stronger domestic economy. To illustrate he points to an auto manufacturer that manufacturers in Mexico and imports to the U.S. If the auto manufacturer is going to receive the […]
Indiana elected a new governor this November, one can hope with the change in administration comes a new way of looking at some of the most outdated liquor laws in the country.
These specific laws serve no apparent purpose other than protectionism for business interests at the expense of the Indiana consumer and need reform.
I grew up as the son of an Irish immigrant raised in a predominantly Italian, Polish and Irish neighborhood. There were very few people from other parts of the world living in my neighborhood. But I always had an inquisitive mind and always had a desire to learn about different cultures. My exposure to world […]
The World Health Organization (WHO) is on a mission to destroy the alcohol industry, but on their quest, have they provided fuel to their critics?
WHO’s position has come so far off the center that it could be sacrificing its credibility. WHO’s radical position reminds me of my time at the University of North […]
There are three sales channels in the liquor world, direct-to-consumer (often times one-tier involved), direct-to-retail (two-tiers involved), and sales through the traditional three-tier system.
A recent federal district Court decision in Iowa dealt with a state permitting in-state wineries to sell direct-to-retailer but not permitting these same privileges for out-of-state wineries.
Iowa unsuccessfully sought to […]
The liquor industry sales are falling and the negative consequences to the industry are real. Wine sales are down, beer sales are down, and spirits sales are up only because of RTD sales.
But we should not think of this negative impact as falling faceless numbers, we should think of the human element of what these […]
Vice President Kamala Harris shocked the political world when she suggested price controls as a way to deal with inflation. Price controls were last implemented under the Nixon Presidency and their impact was a negative for the economic system.
With playing a central role in her economic plan layout, there is no doubt, if elected President […]
Anyone who is involved with the liquor world knows how the lack of access to DTC markets is hurting distillers across the country. Outside of the statistics, all it takes is talking with a distiller or two to get the gist of this.
Jake Emen’s piece in Food and Wine sheds light on the grave state […]
Politicians never fail to live up to their reputation of exercising a lack of foresight when proposing policy. In the wonderful Corn Husker state, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, has proposed a 287% increase on the liquor excise tax for spirits. The excise tax would increase from $3.75 a gallon to $14.50 a gallon.
It would result […]
It was to great excitement in February of 2022 that I read the Treasury’s report on competition in the alcohol industry. Finally, a high up government agency that identified flaws and could become an agent for change.
The report focused on important topics such as the threats posed by wholesaler consolidation and the inability of […]