One item lost in the shuffle following the Authentic Beverage v. TABC ruling is a telling statement from Senator John Carona, Chairman of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee, which hears alcohol-related bills. “A Federal Court has ruled that Texas’ laws regarding the advertising and labeling of beer are flawed. In the case of Authentic … Continued
And now for the lighter side. As I alluded to previously, Judge Sparks’ judgement is full of all kinds of funny lines. If this whole judging thing ever gets old to him, he’s got a career in comedy. Judge Sparks wastes no time getting into the humor (and a little jab), and offers this in … Continued
Wait… WHAT? No, you read the title of this post correctly, The Case For Three-Tier. Disclaimer for those who are pregnant, may soon become pregnant, or suffer from a heart condition: you are about to read me make a case for the three-tier system and not in a “devil’s advocate” sort of way, but in a real … Continued
If you heard my testimony before the Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee back on March 22, 2011 (or if you’ve been a regular reader of this blog), you might recall me talking about how the 3-Tier System is really the 5-Tier System. The beer industry in Texas isn’t just brewer, wholesaler, retailer and it is an … Continued
Long time, no write. unfortunately, I have nothing to report on HB 660. I’ll let you figure out the rest there. I do, however, have great news on HB 2436 and its companion bill, SB 1575. If you remember, this is a microbrewery direct sales bill that would allow you to buy pints at places like … Continued
On this day in 1933, the first brews were legally sold following prohibition – a movement that, at its end, saw even its original proponents lobbying to repeal it. As it turned out, Prohibition did more damage than good – creating the niche for highly organized crime and spawning some of the most notorious criminal masterminds in American … Continued
Congrats to Brock Wagner, the folks at St. Arnold, and all the other Texas brewers, distributors and retailers supporting HB 602 which today passed the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee by a vote of 6-0. Next up is the Local & Consent Calendar Committee, which will place the bill on the Calendar for a … Continued
Thanks to everyone who came out to Uncle Billy’s Lake Travis yesterday for the HB 660 benefit concert. We had a great time with Slow Train, Mike and the Moonpies and Two Tons of Steel. I didn’t catch who ended up winning, but someone ended up with a hoodie, shirt, cap and 2008, 2009 and … Continued
Today the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee is busy hearing a litany of gambling bills. interestingly, this article came out today with Senate State Affairs Committee Chair Robert Duncan quoted saying gambling bills have no chance. Lt. Governor Dewherst has said he’ll funnel all gambling bills through Duncan’s committee, which pretty much assures they are … Continued
***First, a programming note: I’ll be in San Francisco for the Craft Brewers Conference until Sunday – so updates may be sporadic until then.*** By now, you all know that yesterday House Bills 602 and 660 were heard before the Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee. Briefly on HB 602: No one expressed opposition, not even the … Continued
