I was once a radical and then the world changed
During March 2020, I got a call from Julia Momose, one of the preeminent mixologists in America and the owner of Kumiko, a place famous for world renowned cocktails. Like many restaurants she was hit out of the blue by COVID. She wanted to […]
WILL THE BULLY STATE PREVAIL OVER THE CONSTITUTION?
Recently, several states introduced legislation requiring out-of-state fulfillment houses to obtain a license in their state, even though a fulfillment house does not generally perform business activity in the state. In Alabama and Kansas, bills requiring out-of-state fulfillment house become licensed passed both houses, […]
Kansas closes in on the Constitutional abyss
Kansas became the latest state to engage in the most recent ugly trend in the liquor world, introducing laws […]
Captain Lamberth and Tennessee’s Ship of Fools
Tennessee State Representative William Lamberth, provided testimony on why wine shipped from fulfillment houses should be made illegal in Tennessee.
Here is the direct excerpt from his testimony:
“Large fulfillment centers have someone’s complete customer list, handles all their marketing and distribution, they have the complete ability […]
Drizly shows favorable laws and the free market work
Yesterday’s announcement that Uber would acquire Drizly for $1.1 billion should be greeted with great applause by those in the liquor industry.
On a personal level, I am ecstatic for my good friends at Drizly, I hope they can cash in their equity for […]
Whitmer takes the path of least Constitutional resistance
Several liquor bills (Senate Bills 934, 1138, 1139, 1140) in Michigan were recently vetoed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. When presented with the bills, Governor Gretchen Whitmer decided to exercise her pocket veto, which allows a governor to veto legislation by failing to act on […]
Predictions for 2021
Today, I pay ode to the late John McLaughlin and make predictions for the new year. Enjoy it will be a wild one!
Prediction 1: The Supreme Court makes a move on wine retailer shipping. Lebamoff v. Whitmer, which appeals the 6th Circuit’s ruling allowing Michigan’s discriminatory wine retailer shipping […]
Wine may be fine but beer and spirits may die
The Christmas season often times allows one to reflect on what happened during the past year. Clearly, this year has been difficult and many businesses may not survive.
The liquor space is not immune to the difficulties faced by society in general.
Especially hard […]
The Supreme Court may prefer Wine to Walmart
Many liquor experts try to read the tea leaves and determine how the U.S. Supreme Court denying cert in Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. TABC[1] will impact the Court’s action pertaining to the Lebamoff case.
Wal-Mart involves a Commerce Clause challenge to a […]
When alcohol can make you feel good
Alcohol has many effects on the body, we all know that alcohol triggers the release of endorphins which produces feelings of pleasure.
In addition to releasing endorphins and creating pleasure, alcohol can also make the soul feel good. Especially when alcohol is produced to support a […]