Beer Industry Pushes Back Against Spirits RTD Legislation

Dear Client: There's been more movement recently on the ready-to-drink legislation front—lowering taxes and increasing availability—much to the beer industry's chagrin.   RECENT LEGISLATION. Last week, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer approved a series of bills to open up the market for RTD products, including reducing the tax rate on RTD cocktails [see WSD 05-28-2021].  Then, earlier this week Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts signed LB274 into law, making cocktails to-go permanent, allowing distillers to create up to 100,000 gallons of spirits annually