News Archive
DISCUS Monitoring COVID-19 Industry News
We are in this together – help support beverage industry members via USBG’s COVID19 Relief Campaign. Click here for: MAP of Distillers Making Hand Sanitizer Portal of Distillers Responding to COVID-19 DISCUS Press Releases/Statements Industry News Social Media Resources DISCUS Press Releases/Statements Statement by Distilled Spirits Council of the US President Chris Swonger on House passage of COVID-19 Relief Package Which Includes Critical Tax Waiver for Distillers’ Production of Hand Sanitizer Distilled Spirits Council Creates a COVID-19 Hand Sanitizer Portal Distilled Spirits Council Member Companies Donate More Than $8.1 Million to U.S. Bartenders Guild Foundation Emergency Relief Fund and Other Charitable Organizations Spirits Industry Letter to Senate Leadership Requesting Relief in COVID-19 Leislative Package Craft Beverage Coalition Letter to Congressional Leadership Seeking Support in COVID-19 Relief Package DISCUS & ADSA Sent Joint Letter Urging PA. Gov. Tom Wolf to Reconsider Closure of Fine Wine & Good Spirits Distilled Spirits Council Working With Congress to Ease Tax Hurdles Hampering Efforts to Produce Hand Sanitizer to Combat COVID-19 DISCUS President & CEO Chris Swonger issued the following statement on COVID-19 Industry News *Please share coverage with [email protected] April 1, 2020 Penn Live: Pennsylvania reopening liquor sales online, but site currently overwhelmed Beverage Dynamics: How Liquor Stores Adapted to the COVID-19 Crisis The Spirits Business: Stockpiling drives US alcohol sales up 40% March 31, 2020 Roll Call: FDA is pushed to further loosen hand santizer guidelines Bloomberg: Liquor Brands Stir Up Support for a Shaken Bartending Community The Washington Times: Distillers’ attempt to fill sanitizer void threatened by FDA red tape March 30, 2020 Wisconsin State Journal: With medical supplies dwindling in COVID-19 pandemic, Wisconsin businesses switch gears The Emporia Gazette: One bottle at a time: Trolley House converts to making hand sanitizer Forbes: 12 Easy Cocktail Recipes For The Quarantined Forbes: […]
Read MoreDISCUS Statement on U.S. Reps. Yarmuth, Barr letter to FDA Commissioner Urging Flexibility for Distilleries Producing Hand Sanitizer
Statement by Distilled Spirits Council of the United States President & CEO Chris Swonger on a letter sent by Co-chairs of the Congressional Bourbon Caucus Chairman John Yarmuth and Congressman Andy Barr and 85 members of the House of Representatives to U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn urging the agency to update its guidance […]
Read MoreDistilled Spirits Council of the United States President & CEO Chris Swonger Statement on President Donald Trump Signing into Law the Cares Act COVID-19 Economic Relief Package:
“This law represents a critical lifeline for distillers across the country, who are in desperate need of economic relief after shutting down their tasting rooms, ending distillery tours, and experiencing significant sales declines from restaurant and bar closures. In the days, weeks and months ahead, we will be working closely with leaders in Congress and […]
Read MoreStatement by Distilled Spirits Council of the United States President Chris Swonger on House Passage of COVID-19 Relief Package Which Includes Critical Tax Waiver for Distillers’ Production of Hand Sanitizer:
“We are grateful that Congress recognizes the significant contributions of the nation’s distillers in producing hand sanitizer to help fight COVID-19, and for waiving the federal excise tax on these much-needed products so that these distillers are not subjected to a tax bill for their goodwill. We urge the FDA to update its guidance for […]
Read MoreDISCUS Applauds Idaho Governor for Approving Spirits Tastings in State Stores
Governor Brad Little signed HB 575, legislation to allow spirits tastings in state stores, into law last night. Distilled Spirits Council Vice President of State Government Relations Adam Smith released the following statement: “COVID-19 has taken a toll on small businesses across the nation, but measures like this will help local economies bounce back. Tastings […]
Read MoreDISCUS Statement on W. Va. Governor Approving Spirits Sales Statewide
Distilled Spirits Council Vice President of State Government Relations David Wojnar released the following statement on West Virginia Governor Jim Justice approving HB 4524, legislation to allow spirits sales across the entire state: “This is a huge win for the spirits industry, especially in light of current circumstances surrounding COVID-19. Eliminating antiquated laws like this […]
Read MoreDistilled Spirits Council Applauds Senate Passage of COVID-19 Relief Package, Urges Swift House Approval
Bill Includes Critical Federal Tax Waiver for Distillers’ Production of Hand Sanitizer; DISCUS Urges FDA to Update Guidance to Ensure Distillers Don’t Face Tax Hit WASHINGTON — The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) today welcomed the passage of the third COVID-19 relief package by the U.S. Senate. This relief package includes an […]
Read MoreDistilled Spirits Council Creates a COVID-19 Hand Sanitizer Connection Portal
Portal connects distillers with resources for ingredients, supplies, distribution WASHINGTON — The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) today launched an online portal to assist hundreds of distillers who are producing hand sanitizer to help solve the national shortage created by the COVID-19 pandemic. DISCUS has worked closely with regulators to overcome regulatory hurdles, and distillers now have clear direction to […]
Read MoreDistilled Spirits Council Member Companies Donate More Than $12.2 Million to U.S. Bartenders Guild Foundation Emergency Relief Fund and Other Charitable Organizations
— Members Unite to Support Hospitality Industry COVID-19 Relief Efforts — WASHINGTON —The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) announced today that its member companies are collectively donating more than $12.21 million to the U.S. Bartenders Guild Foundation and other charities to support COVID-19 relief efforts. “By banding together, DISCUS members are making […]
Read MoreU.S. Distilled Spirits Industry Urges U.S. Senate Leadership to Provide Economic Relief To Distillers Amid COVID-19 Crisis
WASHINGTON — In a letter sent yesterday to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, U.S. spirits supplier trade associations urged Congress to move quickly to provide economic relief to distilleries facing enormous financial hardship due to the impact of COVID-19. The letter was signed by the presidents of the Distilled […]
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