It’s finally over. Back in 2020, the 7th Circuit reversed an injunction that then MillerCoors obtained against Anheuser keeping Anheuser from using certain forms of advertising related to an ad campaign asserting that corn syrup was used in Miller Lite
Libation Law Blog
Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Regulatory and Legal Updates
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Court finds leaving a territory for 13 years might not be enough to accomplish termination of a beer distribution agreement – but sales and transfer of title outside the state may preclude beer franchise statute application
Brewers, distillers and vintners should pay attention to a recent ruling about an imported beer brand’s dispute with a distributor that it hadn’t shipped beer to in 18 years as it contains some important lessons for distribution agreement termination in…
Court finds craft brewer’s label protected by free speech, state regulation of label content unconstitutional (yes, it’s Flying Dog… again)

Flying Dog Brewery has long been known for its Ralph Steadman label artwork. Steadman partied with Hunter S. Thompson and some of that interaction is humorously detailed in several of Thompson’s essays. Some idiots find Steadman’s artwork disturbing and…
Court finds state’s prohibition on exclusive liquor distribution agreements for out-of-state distillers violates Commerce Clause so state eliminates exclusivity.
Out-of-state spirits producers do not enjoy the same rights as in-state producers in Minnesota when it comes to exclusive distribution agreements. Under Minn. Stat. § 340A.307 out-of-state distillers and importers (those bringing spirits into Minnesota) of intoxicating liquors “must offer…
ILCC Introduces Forms For Brewers, Brewpubs, Distilling Pubs and Distillers to Obtain Approval Before Transferring Between Wholly Owned Operations.
For the past few iterations of amendments and creations for the Class 1, brewers licenses, the Class 2 brewers and distillers licenses and the Class 3 (no form yet) and Brewpub and Distilling Pub licenses, different amendments have inserted language…
Recent updates to the Illinois Liquor Control Act, Part 1 of 2, Definitions, Class 3 Brewers, Self-Distribution, Alternating Premises Tap Rooms and more.
The Governor’s signature brought Public Act 102-0442 to life on August 20. The Act effectuates multiple amendments to the sausage of the Illinois Liquor Control Act of 1934. Let’s break them down:
Mead is in.
The definition of Wine…
Maryland court rejects control test in interpreting whether a company is a “successor brewer” under beer franchise fair dealing act allowing termination of distribution agreement.
Beer wholesaler Frederick P. Winner, Ltd., sued Pabst Brewing Co. over Pabst’s termination of the beer distribution rights the brewer had granted to the wholesaler. The termination came after a change in Pabst’s ownership. The beer distributor claimed the…
In denying out-of-state retailers the right to ship to Missouri residents, 8th Circuit questions whether Courts should allow dormant Commerce Clause challengers to put on evidence.
CANarchy wins challenge to Texas ABC statute over limits on brewery production sizes for direct from taproom “beer-to-go” sales based on a statutory construction resulting from poor legislative drafting.
CANarchy brought two challenges to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code’s 225,000 barrel cap on brewery “beer-to-go” sales. The relevant portions of the statute authorize breweries in Texas to sell beer-to-go, provided they have a production rate below 225,000 barrels annually.…