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Beer vs. Bureaucracy (Washington, DC) -Whatever you think about the recent government shutdown, it did cast a spotlight on the role of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (affectionately known as the TTB in the biz) which although the nation’s’ craft brewers might disagree, was deemed unessential and closed for business.
As part of the US Treasury, the TTB has for decades overseen things like brewery applications, beer labels, and loans with minimal public complaints. But in light of the nation’s longest shutdown, and the problems it caused many craft brewers, some are asking if this federal organization’s archaic approach to beer label approval, beer business loans and brewery applications has outlived its usefulness and if its role has become unduly burdensome and should be reevaluated…
This from Chris Edwards writing for the Cato Institute…
“Taxpayers are paying for goodness knows how many high-paid bureaucrats to study 192,000 bottle labels a year? That seems absurd. Even if federal review of labels made sense, why do we need a system of preclearance? Why don’t we at least allow companies to proceed with their new products without delay, but allow for later review by the bureaucracy if noncompliant labels are suspected?”
Words To Drink By (Alexandria, VA) – “We work hard to get ahead of our business and this shutdown wrecks our plans. If we can’t get our new labels approved in a timely manner, it affects our entire operation, and damages our revenue stream, which relies on new beers in the market.” Bill Butcher, Founder Port City Brewing.
From Bushes And Bark To Beer (Lake Zurich IL) – We’ve never heard of a nursery, garden center and landscape business transitioning into a full service 0.6-acre craft brewery but that’s what’s happening in a northern suburb of Chicago according to the Chicago Tribune.
From Landscaping to Lagering – Mark Cook’s Garden Center on the edge of downtown Lake Zurich, has received approval from village trustees to eventually become a 2,000 square feet brewery with a 1,900-square-foot taproom and 2,000 square feet of outdoor seating.
What We’ve Been Drinking Lately (Rochester, NY) – Last weekend we were wintering down and hit up something seasonal from the Genesee Brew House which is part of its Pilot Batch release series. Deep amber colored, uber- rich and malty, Genesee Brew House Scotch Ale is a 7.5% limited release with a subtle sweetness that never overpowers.
