Alabama looks to allow brewery direct sales:
A brewery client of mine is looking to hire a sales rep. They are an incredible team, and anyone, as am I, would be very fortunate to work with them. Check it out if you are passionate about the craft beer industry: http://www.brewbound.com/jobs/21582-Sales-Representative-Red-Brick-Brewing-Co
“One day after the Georgia General Assembly convened in Atlanta for the 2016 state legislative session, the Athens Downtown Development Authority is scheduled to consider a resolution asking lawmakers to ‘modernize Georgia’s brewery laws’ to help craft breweries, brewpubs and related industries.” – Jim Thompson
Check it out: http://www.pr.com/press-release/652086. Going to be really cool!
Charlie Papazian, the president of the Brewers Association and founder of the Great American Beer Festival, will step back from day-to-day responsibilities this month after 37 years. Papazian, who “discovered craft homebrewing 45 years ago,” will remain an integral part of the Brewers Association, according to a statement published on the organization’s website. His title will shift to “founder, past president” and current CEO Bob Pease will add president to his title, the BA said.
Source: Charlie Papazian Takes on New Role at BA | Brewbound.com
As more fully discussed on the TTB website, current regulations under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act do not require the disclosure of major food allergens on alcohol beverage labels. However, the TTB has published an interim rule which sets forth standards for optional allergen labeling statements. Under the interim rule, producers, bottlers, and importers may declare the presence of major food allergens in their products, but are not required to do so.
However, if an industry member chooses to undertake any allergen labeling, the label must comply with the labeling standards specified in the interim rule. If any one major food allergen is declared, all major food allergens used in the production of the alcohol beverage, including major food allergens used as fining or processing agents, must be listed.
If you decide to disclose allergens, an allergen declaration must consist of the word “Contains” followed by a colon and the name of the food source from which each major food allergen is derived. For example, a declaration could be “Contains: milk and egg.” If any one major food allergen is declared, all major food allergens used in the production of the alcohol beverage, including major food allergens used as fining or processing agents, must be listed.
Consistent with the provisions of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, FALCPA, the interim rule defines a “major food allergen” to mean any of the following: milk, egg, fish (for example, bass, flounder, or cod), Crustacean shellfish (for example, crab, lobster, or shrimp), tree nuts (for example, almonds, pecans, or walnuts), wheat, peanuts and soybeans, as well as any food ingredient that contains protein derived from one of these food sources. In the case of a tree nut, the name must be listed as the specific type of nut (for example, almonds, pecans, or walnuts). In the case of Crustacean shellfish, the name must be listed as the species of Crustacean shellfish (for example, crab, lobster, or shrimp). In the case of fish, the species is not listed; the allergen is listed simply as “fish.” The terms “egg” and “peanuts”, as well as the names of the different types of tree nuts, may be expressed in either the singular or plural form. Furthermore, the term “soy,” “soybean,” or “soya” may be used instead of “soybeans.”
This additional information may be placed on any label affixed to the container. A major food allergen declaration should be readily legible under ordinary conditions and on a contrasting background.
I think within the next few years the labeling of major food allergens will be a requirement. We shall see…
Cheers.
“In fifteen states, large brewers such as Anheuser-Busch InBev are allowed to own wholesalers. At present, ABI is the largest beer supplier and one of the largest beer wholesalers in nine states…If ABI is permitted to maintain ownership of wholesalers, ABI can continue to systematically sell parts of its wholesaler network to other favored wholesalers that ABI effectively controls. Simultaneously, ABI will continue to purchase additional independent wholesalers and discontinue sales of competing brands that the independent wholesalers currently sell. Craft brands will then be forced into the MillerCoors network or to small specialty distributors that lack the ability to fully serve a territory…States have granted exceptions to allow limited self-distribution by craft brewers…but they are inadequate to address the imbalance that currently exists.” – Bob Pease, Brewers Association.
Georgia Craft Beer Lawyer 