News Archive
Distilled Spirits Council & American Craft Spirits Association Co-Host Annual Public Policy Conference September 15-16
Distilled Spirits Council and American Craft Spirits Association Co-Host Annual Public Policy Conference September 15-16 Registration for Virtual Conference Now Open WASHINGTON, D.C. – Distillers from across the country will gather virtually September 15-16 for the distilled spirits industry’s annual Public Policy Conference co-hosted by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) […]
Read MoreGeorgia Governor Approves Home Delivery of Spirits and Package Store Tastings
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed legislation yesterday to allow home delivery of spirits and spirits tastings in off-premise retail stores. “Both home delivery of spirits and package store tastings will help modernize the marketplace while benefitting consumers and local businesses in Georgia,” said Jay Hibbard, Distilled Spirits Council Vice President of State Government Relations. “We […]
Read MoreDistilled Spirits Council Testifies in Support of Bill to Extend Cocktails To-Go in Maine
During a hearing today before the Maine Joint Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) submitted testimony in support of LR 3333 , legislation to extend the sale of cocktails to-go from restaurants and bars. The testimony, submitted by DISCUS Vice President of State Government Relations Jay Hibbard, underscored that […]
Read MoreEnd Spirits, Wine and Beer Tariffs: Industry Calls for U.S. and EU to End Trade Dispute Urgently to Save Jobs
End Spirits, Wine and Beer Tariffs: Industry Calls for U.S. and EU to End Trade Dispute Urgently to Save Jobs WASHINGTON – In a show of transatlantic unity, 17 associations representing the U.S. and European beverage alcohol sectors submitted comments today to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in opposition to the U.S. government’s proposal to […]
Read MoreDISCUS Responds to Airbus Statement Regarding the WTO Civil Aircraft Dispute
Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Statement in response to the Airbus statement regarding the WTO civil aircraft dispute “U.S. distillers welcome today’s announcement regarding Airbus. We hope that this is a significant step toward resolving this longstanding trade dispute that will result in the prompt elimination of tariffs on U.S. and EU distilled spirits. […]
Read MoreDISCUS Issues Urgent “Call to Action” as U.S. Tariff Comment Deadline Nears
Grassroots effort has already garnered more than 2,000 comments The Distilled Spirits of the United States (DISCUS) today issued an industry-wide call to action as the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) public input period on proposed new tariffs on spirits from the European Union (EU) comes to a close this Sunday. More than 2,000 comments […]
Read MoreMassachusetts Governor Signs Cocktails To-Go Legislation
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed a measure today allowing restaurants to sell cocktails to-go with the purchase of food until February 2021 or until the state of emergency is lifted, whichever is later. “With the governor’s signature, Massachusetts now joins 30 other states and D.C. in allowing cocktails to-go to support hospitality businesses,” said Jay […]
Read MoreMassachusetts Legislature Approves Cocktails To-Go Legislation, Bill Moves to Governor’s Desk for Signature
The Massachusetts Legislature approved a measure last night allowing restaurants to sell cocktails to-go with the purchase of food until February 2021 or until the state of emergency is lifted, whichever is later. “Cocktails to-go are a vital economic lifeline for hospitality businesses struggling to cope with the harsh economic impacts of COVID-19,” said Jay […]
Read MoreClarkson Hine and Matt Deegan Elected Chair and Vice Chair of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) at its summer Board of Directors meeting elected Clarkson Hine, Beam Suntory Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, as chair of the national trade association. Hine succeeds former Diageo North America President Deirdre Mahlan, who has chaired the Council since 2018. Hine began his career in […]
Read MoreColorado Governor Signs Bill Extending Alcohol To-Go into Law
Governor Jared Polis today signed a measure extending alcohol and cocktails to-go for local distilleries, restaurants and bars in Colorado until July 1, 2021, in an effort to support the state’s struggling hospitality industry during COVID-19. “Colorado restaurants and taverns have been incredibly hard-hit by COVID,” said Senator Jeff Bridges. “Our bill gives these small […]
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