13th Annual Center for Alcohol Policy Conference Moved Online

Alas, another event is impacted by COVID. The 13th Annual Center for Alcohol Policy Law and Policy Conference will take place virtually over the course of four Wednesdays in September. Topics include discussions of the alcohol law cases found on this website. Please find more information and register here. (Previous Post) Save the Date! Center…Read More

The United States Supreme Court Denies Total Wine’s Request for Certiorari on Challenge to Connecticut’s Alcohol Pricing Regulations

The Supreme Court issued orders this morning from its recent conference and has denied a review of the 2nd Circuit’s decision upholding Connecticut’s alcohol pricing regulations from attack by Total Wine.   This resolves the most high profile antitrust challenge to state alcohol laws currently in the court system. The Supreme Court’s order can be found…Read More

The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts Upholds Law Banning Sales Below Costs Against Challenge from Total Wine

The highest court in Massachusetts has upheld the state law that prevents sales of alcohol below costs.   This case stems from an enforcement action against Massachusetts Fine Wine and Spirits (Total Wine) related to the state definition of cost of liquor.   The Court stated: “We conclude that the plain language of § 2.04(1) requires that…Read More

Justice Department Files Brief in Antitrust Case Involving Beer Sales in Canada

This week the Department of Justice filed a brief as Amicus Curiae in support of neither party in the Mountain Crest v. Anheuser-Busch InBev & Molson Coors litigation. This case is currently before the 7th Circuit and the court asked the Justice Department for their views on this interesting legal matter that bridges both antitrust…Read More

Guest Column: 100 Years After the Failure of Prohibition, the Supreme Court Has Opportunity to Prevent Another Federalization of Alcohol Policy

100 Years After the Failure of Prohibition, the Supreme Court Has Opportunity to Prevent Another Federalization of Alcohol Policy On January 16, 2019 the United States Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case Tennessee Wine and Spirits Retailers Association v. Blair.   January 16th is a critical date in alcohol policy history because on…Read More