News Archive
Colorado Governor Signs Bill to Extend Cocktails To-Go Until 2025
Colorado Governor Jared Polis today signed HB 1027 , a measure to extend cocktails to-go from restaurants and bars until July 1, 2025. “Governor Polis acted swiftly to support Colorado hospitality businesses by allowing cocktails to-go during the pandemic,” said Kristi Brown, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Senior Director of State Government Relations. “Cocktails to-go […]
Read MoreBill Equalizing Tax for Spirits-Based and Malt-/Beer-Based Ready-to-Drink Products Passes NJ Committee
Distilled Spirits Council and president of New Jersey Craft Distillers Guild push back against false claims made by beer industry Today, the New Jersey Senate Budget and Appropriates Committee overwhelmingly passed SB 3452, legislation to equalize the tax rate for spirits-based and malt-/beer-based ready-to-drink (RTD) products with similar alcohol by volume (ABV) up to 9.9 […]
Read MoreToasts Not Tariffs Coalition Statement on 5-year Tariff Suspensions with UK and EU
Statement by the Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition on President Biden Securing 5-Year Tariff Suspensions with UK and EU Leaders in WTO Boeing-Airbus Dispute “We commend the administration’s tremendous progress in resetting the important trading relationships between the U.S., EU and UK, which have been instrumental for the growth of the hospitality sectors on both sides of […]
Read MoreDISCUS Statement on 5-year tariff suspension with UK
Statement by Chris Swonger, president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council, on the U.S.-UK announcement to suspend tariffs for 5 years on distilled spirits products as part of the WTO Boeing-Airbus trade dispute agreement “The U.S.–UK agreement to suspend tariffs on distilled spirits products for five years in the long-standing WTO Boeing-Airbus dispute is another welcome […]
Read MoreMassachusetts Governor Signs Bill Extending Cocktails To-Go Until May 2022
Today, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed SB 2475 , legislation extending cocktails to-go until May 1, 2022, effective immediately – increasing consumer convenience and supporting hospitality businesses devastated by COVID-19. “Governor Baker and the legislature acted swiftly to support Massachusetts hospitality businesses by allowing cocktails to-go during the pandemic,” said Jay Hibbard, Distilled Spirits Council of the […]
Read MorePA Senate Passes Bill to Make Cocktails To-Go Permanent, Expand Outlets that Carry Ready-to-Drink Cocktails
Today, the Pennsylvania Senate passed HB 1154 , a bill to make cocktails to-go permanent and allow the sale of ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails from additional retail outlets that already sell malt- and wine-based RTDs. The bill now heads to the House for concurrence. Fifteen states have currently made COVID-era cocktails to-go measures permanent. With the expiration of […]
Read MoreWomen of the Vine & Spirits and Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Collaborate to Provide Ongoing Industry Training on Workplace Harassment
The series will provide effective training to prevent harassment in the alcohol beverage industry Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS) and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) announced today the two organizations are launching an ongoing training series in response to the disturbing reports of harassment, violence and discrimination faced by many in the alcohol beverage industry. […]
Read MoreStatement by Chris Swonger, Predisent & CEO, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States and Responsibility.org, Urging Passage of Multiple Substance Impaired Driving Prevention Act of 2021
ARLINGTON, Va. – Today, Chris R. Swonger, president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) and Responsibility.org announced support for the bipartisan Multiple Substance Impaired Driving Prevention Act of 2021. Responsibility.org and DISCUS applauded the leadership of sponsor Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and lead co-sponsor Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) for introducing this bill. Swonger urged Congress to swiftly pass the legislation by including it in the infrastructure bill. The Multiple Substance Impaired Driving Prevention Act of 2021 would maximize the […]
Read MorePA Senate Committee Passes Bill to Make Cocktails To-Go Permanent, Bill Amended to Include Expansion of Ready-to-Drink Cocktail Sales
Today, the Pennsylvania Senate Law and Justice Committee passed HB 1154 , a bill to make cocktails to-go permanent – increasing consumer convenience and supporting hospitality businesses devastated by COVID-19. The bill now goes to the full Senate for a vote. “Cocktails to-go have proved to be a vital economic lifeline for hospitality businesses across the commonwealth, […]
Read MoreOregon Governor Signs Bill Making Cocktails To-Go Permanent
Oregon become 15th state to make a COVID-era cocktails to-go measure permanent Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed SB 317 making cocktails to-go permanent in the state – a move that will increase consumer convenience and support hospitality businesses devastated by COVID-19. Oregon becomes the 15th state to make a COVID-era cocktails to-go measure permanent. “Governor Brown supported […]
Read More