Ted Zeller Speaks at “Building a Brewery” Webinars
Theodore J. Zeller III, a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., and Chair of its Liquor Law Practice Group, will speak at two events hosted by Penn State Extension: "Building a Brewery: Site Selection, Permits, and Licenses," and "Building a Brewery: The Legal Aspects of Distribution."
These events are offered in partnership with Penn State Extension, Penn State Continuing Education, Berks Campus, and Norris McLaughlin.
Building a Brewery: Site Selection, Permits, and Licenses
Before you pitch yeast and ferment your first batch of beer to sell, it is essential to understand the legal landscape of this highly regulated industry. A new brewery must obtain the requisite local, state, and federal licenses and permits to legally manufacture beer in Pennsylvania.
The webinar will be held on Thursday, March 10, 2022
12:30 p.m.
In this webinar you will learn:
- Site selection
- Local, state, and federal permits and licensing
- Q&A opportunity
Building a Brewery: The Legal Aspects of Distribution
There are numerous options to explore when determining how you bring your beer to market. It is essential to understand legal requirements as you plan your distribution strategy. Knowing the laws and how they pertain to your point-of-sale selection, branding and operating procedures can save you time and legal fees.
The webinar will be held on Friday, March 11, 2022
12:30 p.m.
In this webinar you will learn:
- Retail options
- Distribution issues
- Brand registration and trademark issues
- Tasting room regulations
- Tax compliance
About Penn State Extension
Penn State Extension is a modern educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities. They provide access to face-to-face and online education to our customers—when they want it, where they want it, and how they want it—to help them address problems and take advantage of opportunities for improvement and innovation. Partnering with and funded by federal, state, and county governments, Penn State Extension has a long tradition of bringing unbiased support and education to the citizens of Pennsylvania. They make a difference locally through focused engagement, and more widely to customers connecting in the digital landscape.
About Theodore J. Zeller III
Theodore J. Zeller III has extensive experience in liquor law, regulatory licensing, commercial transactions, real estate transactions, and litigation.
Chair of the firm’s Liquor Law Practice Group, Ted was lead counsel in a beer rights case brought against the world’s largest brewers and is now General Counsel to D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc.
Ted’s lobbying efforts helped change various laws under the Pennsylvania Liquor Code. In 2010, Ted testified before the Senate Law and Justice Committee on behalf of Yuengling Brewery concerning House Bill 291, which addresses the distribution of brewed beverages in Pennsylvania.
In 2011, Ted authored portions of two different bills that were enacted into law. The bills helped small brewers by allowing more efficient and cost effective brand registration, as well as altered the package laws for brewery licenses. He also appeared before the House Liquor Committee with the Brewers of Pennsylvania in the Privatization Hearings. Most recently, his efforts helped change brewery regulations to allow for taprooms and he authored the Malt Beverage Tax Excise Credit legislation. Further, he has written extensively about Acts 39 and 166.
Ted counsels clients on the acquisition of liquor licenses and coordinates liquor license transactions with other practice areas, such as real estate, business law, financing, tax law, intellectual property, and litigation. Known throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, he also represents beer interests on a national level and advises breweries and wholesalers on state regulatory matters involving beer distribution and franchise laws. He regularly prepares distribution agreements for his clients and coordinates state and federal licensing for manufacturing and national distribution.
Ted has tried multiple cases in county and federal court, including jury trials, and hundreds of cases before arbitration panels, district justices, and administrative law judges. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Cider Guild and is General Counsel to the Brewers of Pennsylvania and represents alcohol interests in every category. Ted has helped numerous start-up breweries, wineries, distilleries, and retailers.
Ted was named a 2019 Pennsylvania Trailblazer by The Legal Intelligencer and made a cameo appearance in “Undercover Billionaire,” Episode 1 -2, as himself giving advice on how to build a brewery.
