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] March 27, 2020 KYW News Radio: Pa. shoppers flock to neighboring states as Liquor Control Board considers reopening some online businesses The New York Times: Ethanol Plants Seek Rule Changes to Resupply Hand Sanitizer Fortune: The liquor industry faces an uncertain future. But if it survived Prohibition it can survive the coronavirus March 26, 2020 Forbes: As COVID-19 Imperils The Restaurant Industry, These Brands Are Here To Help Food & Beverage Magazine: Sagamore Spirit to Make Hand Sanitizer w/ John Hopkins Robb Report: Why Pennsylvania’s Decision to Close Liquor Stores Could Do More Harm Than Good Thompson Reuters Foundation: To fight coronavirus, distilleries, brewers, and even monasteries produce hand sanitizer for those most in need The Orange County Register: Why the coronavirus crisis is causing local distilleries to focus on hygiene instead of gin Food & […]
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 MoreDistilled Spirits Council Honors Spirits Industry Icons at Inaugural Conference Awards Dinner
LOUISVILLE, Ky.– More than 350 spirits industry professionals joined the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) in honoring industry leaders at an awards dinner at the DISCUS inaugural conference in Louisville, Ky. The event, emceed by Fred Minnick, Wall Street Journal-bestselling author, bourbon curator and taster, took place on Tuesday evening at the […]
Read MoreDistilled Spirits Council of the US Hosts Inaugural Annual Conference Feb. 17-19 in Louisville, KY
The Distilled Council of the United States (DISCUS) today announced the line-up for its sold-out February 17-19 Inaugural Annual Conference at the Omni Hotel in Louisville, KY. “Forging a Modern Distilled Spirits Marketplace” features prominent public officials, spirits producers, industry and trade association leaders, as well as experts in operating in the next generation of […]
Read MoreIncluding Spirits in NY Bottle Bill Will Cost Businesses, Consumers
WASHINGTON – A recent study released by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation suggests expanding the NY bottle bill to include wine and liquor, but the study’s own research shows the move would impact approximately 4,500 businesses. Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) Vice President of State Government Relations Jay Hibbard released the following […]
Read MoreDistilled Spirits Council Celebrates 85th Anniversary of Code of Responsible Practices
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) today marked the 85th anniversary of the Code of Responsible Practices , a set of voluntary advertising and marketing guidelines first adopted by the spirits industry within months of the repeal of Prohibition. “Eighty-five years ago, leaders in the spirits industry showed a great sense of duty […]
Read MoreDistilled Spirits Council of the United States, Texas Distilled Spirits Association and Texas Whiskey Association Announce Partnership on “Spirits United” Grassroots Platform
WASHINGTON – The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), America’s leading advocate for the distilled spirits industry, today announced that the Texas Distilled Spirits Association (TDSA) and the Texas Whiskey Association (TXWA) have joined Spirits United as partners to expand the grassroots network in the Lone Star State. The Spirits United platform features important information […]
Read MoreU.S. Alcohol Trade Groups Call for End to Tariffs on EU Spirits and Wine
UPDATED RELEASE: Oct. 7, 2019 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. alcohol trade groups urged an end to tariffs on EU distilled spirits and wine following the United States decision announced today to impose tariffs of 25 percent on imports of Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Single Malt Irish Whiskey from Northern Ireland, liqueurs and cordials, and wine […]
Read MorePA House Liquor Control Committee Fights for Consumers, Passes Bill to Repeal Flexible Pricing Program
Today, the Pennsylvania House Liquor Control Committee passed HB 1512, a bill to repeal the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s (PLCB) flexible pricing program. Last week, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) Chief Economist David Ozgo and President and CEO of the American Distilled Spirits Association Matt Dogali testified before the committee to highlight the harmful impacts this […]
Read More