Can a brewery make cider? The federal government (TTB) says “yes.” In Pennsylvania, “no problem.” New York says “go for it.” How about New Jersey? The answer is “no.” » Read More

Crowdfunding has become a popular way for businesses, including breweries, to not only raise money, but also market their brand before launching their products.  Although crowd-sourced funding has its benefits, it also has its pitfalls.  For instance, what happens if you use crowdfunding prior to opening your brewery, but you never open your doors due to unforeseen circumstances, and the money you raised on Kickstarter is gone?  » Read More

The United States federal government shutdown is nearly one month in our history, and we finally have some clarity regarding the shutdown’s effect on TTB permit application processing times. On February 21, 2019, the TTB updated its website listing the average number of days it takes to process TTB original permit applications.  » Read More

On October 12, 2018, I spoke at The Brewers of Pennsylvania 4th Annual Mid Atlantic Brewers’ Symposium about inspections of breweries by the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”).  These inspections are still relatively new to breweries, but it is imperative that every brewery is prepared and compliant for the inevitable day the FDA comes to visit.  » Read More

Theodore J. Zeller III, Esquire, a Member of Norris McLaughlin, P.A., and Chair of its Liquor Law Practice Group, was quoted in The Morning Call as general counsel to the Brewers of Pennsylvania regarding the new brewery sales tax bulletin from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue that it is pushing to take effect on July 1, 2019.  » Read More

As discussed in our prior posts, the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s Special Ruling Authorizing Certain Activities by Holders of Limited Brewery Licenses (which was rescinded) was a hot topic among New Jersey’s craft brewers and even New Jersey’s politicians.  » Read More

Through the efforts of the Brewers of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has extended the enforcement date of its new Bulletin imposing a sales tax upon a brewery’s direct sales to customers.  The date has been extended from January 1, 2019, until July 1, 2019.  » Read More

Few medals bear such weighty significance in the world of beer as those awarded during the Great American Beer Festival.  This year, medals were awarded to a greater number of styles than ever before, reaching a whopping 102 categories, many of which have two or more subcategories.   » Read More

We have been asked the following question numerous times from clients: if there is not a distillery in Pennsylvania that makes a certain spirit, can we use one from out-of-state?  The answer is always no, because Pennsylvania manufacturers, such as a brewery, distillery, or winery, are not permitted to sell any distilled spirits that were not made by a Pennsylvania licensed distillery or limited distillery. » Read More

According to a 2016 study conducted by the Brewer’s Association, Pennsylvania’s craft brewing industry ranks 2^nd in the United States for economic impact, coming in at approximately $5.8 billion, ahead of Texas ($4.5 billion) and trailing only California ($7.3 billion).  » Read More