Anheuser-Busch introduced its Michelob Ultra Organic Seltzer last month, advertising the beverage as the “First-of-its-kind organic option to the hard seltzer category,” “First USDA-certified organic seltzer,” “First National USDA Certified Organic Hard Seltzer,” and “First-ever national USDA certified organic hard seltzer.” » Read More
Beginning tonight, just after midnight, all indoor dining and consumption of alcohol at restaurants, breweries, wineries, and distilleries will be prohibited under new orders issued by Governor Wolf on December 10, 2020. These facilities will still be allowed to serve customers via curbside, take-out, delivery, and outdoor dining and alcohol service through this holiday season. » Read More
The hospitality industry has suffered significant economic distress as a result of COVID and the related state-mandated shutdowns on business operations. The COVID pandemic has created a unique set of facts that have not been addressed by the insurance industry in the United States, and restaurant owners with business interruption policies have taken insurance company denials to court. » Read More
As case numbers continue to rise during the fall months, New Jersey Governor Murphy has issued new orders on COVID-19 restaurant restrictions. Many bars and restaurants that previously were permitted to re-open their indoor dining areas now face additional restrictions to curb the spread. » Read More
On Tuesday, September 8, Governor Wolf announced new COVID-19 mandates applicable to the state’s retail restaurants that eased some restrictions but imposed new ones and created many open issues. The good news is that beginning September 21, restaurants (which we assume also means breweries) can increase their indoor capacity to 50%. » Read More
Effective tomorrow, August 4, 2020, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) amended sections 407, 415, and 442 of Act 29 of 2020. These revisions allow Pennsylvania Restaurant (“R”) liquor licensees, Eating Place Malt Beverage (“E”) licensees, and Wine Expanded Permit (“WEP”) holders that possess interior connections to another business they operate, such as a grocery store, convenience store, or similarly situated business that cannot have its entire building or business licensed, to have the consumer use the cash registers at their other business to sell malt or brewed beverages and wine for off-premises consumption. » Read More
On July 16, 2020, Governor Wolf’s new order went into effect further limiting the operating privileges of Pennsylvania’s hospitality businesses. The major changes are: (1) inside occupancy limited to 25% of capacity, (2) no on-premises alcohol sales without a “meal” as part of the transaction, and (3) indoor events are now limited to 25 people maximum including staff. » Read More
On July 15, 2020, Governor Wolf announced new statewide mitigation efforts in response to the recent increase in coronavirus cases in the western part of the state. While these mitigation efforts were described as “surgical and targeted,” these new executive regulations affect all operations of bars and restaurants throughout the Commonwealth, despite, as recent as last week, the Governor announced that he would be leaving it up to the local governments to determine any further restrictions. » Read More
