When The Liquor World Got Better
Two years ago today, my partners Julia Momose, Ian Beacraft, and I succeeded in our movement to legalize cocktails-to-go in Illinois. Through the months of struggle and late-night zoom calls, we succeeded in breaking new ground.
When we proposed cocktails-to-go it was a radical idea that was only available […]
Does Size Really Matter, the DTC Spirits Shipping debate
The California DTC spirits shipping bill really has brought to life the issue of whether size matters. In the bill to allow DTC spirits shipping, it seems the Teamsters, which once objected to the bill, now favors it because there will be a […]
Illinois’ Bottle Deposit Fee: How to make a market more uncompetitive
Illinois HB1799 would impose on the consumer a deposit fee of 5 cents on each beverage container sold. If the consumer returns the beverage container, it would be entitled to a refund.
Many would deem this a benevolent bill that seems […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]