Lobbying

Senators who oppose hemp-derived intoxicants slipped a ban into the bill that ended the government shutdown. Now it’s law, and businesses making THC beverages have a year to lobby for changes—even while preparing to discontinue those products or close up shop.

On behalf of independent breweries, Brewers Association lobbyists are prioritizing issues such as direct-to-consumer shipping, support for hospitality businesses, and tax changes that could put breweries at a disadvantage on retail shelves.

Changes to local, state, and federal laws helped to keep breweries going last year, and they can lead to greater success going forward. Here are ways that brewers and brewery operators can help make it happen.

Julie Verratti has become a sage resource for brewery operators navigating their give-and-take relationships with government. Here, she talks about building trust with lawmakers and speaking out on the measures that can help get us through the pandemic.

The major spending package includes additional relief for small businesses—including a provision that indefinitely extends excise-tax cuts for breweries.

Lower excise-tax rates in place since 2018 are set to expire, even as Congress has yet to approve additional pandemic-era economic stimulus for small businesses. The Brewers Association is urging breweries to contact lawmakers on Tuesday, December 1.

Small brewers got big tax relief in 2017, but the clock was set to two years. Will Congress act to renew the cuts?

Brewers Association releases its annual report on economic impact.