In Alabama, a group called Free the Hops succeeded in getting a lot of state and county laws repealed about 20 years ago. (Before that, there were some utterly bizarre laws; for instance, in order to operate a brewpub, you had to prove that beer had been brewed at that location prior to the Civil War.) Alabama is still a control state, but brewpubs can now distill and sell direct. There's still a lot to be done; shipping wine direct to consumer still has a lot of restrictions. My wife and I belong to the wine club of a Sonoma distillery, and every time they send me a wine shipment, they have to send it to an ABC store and I have to go pick it up and pay a $0.86 tax.
"in a highly regulated industry, a legal education is a huge competitive advantage."
Yes. Which is why allowing lawyers to legislate is a conflict of interest.
Election to a legislative position should require the rescission of the individuals license to practice law, with a ban on practicing law for an extended period after the term of service.
The largest still? Just eyeballing, it looks to be the same size as the ones that Garrison Bros. have in Hye, Texas, about an hour and a half west of Austin.
I enjoyed this post and appreciate your initiative in offering the course and including the field trip. I believe that many people who gravitate to law school have very little experience with or appreciation for industrial enterprises and the issues and difficulties they face and deal with.
Here's an interesting law that affects many counties, but not Knox County too much, thanks to Victor Ashe - a silver lining to finger annexation, depending on one's attitude towards booze: Tennessee only allows package stores in municipalities. The liquor lobby apparently likes the current situation because there is somewhat of a ceiling on the number of package stores out there, so changing that law from the 1800s(?) won't happen anytime soon. Because Knoxville's tendrils spread all over the county from finger annexation, this commodity is fairly available. See I give Ashe credit where credit is due.
You are well-suited to teach such a course. i would be well-suited to take it. given your location, i'm sure it's whiskey-centric, but in this age of tariffs, what about US production of tequila?
Sounds like a great course. I find it fascinating that hobby distillation is "still" apparently illegal under federal law, although (as I'm sure you know) one court has declared that aspect of the law unconstitutional. Will the Supremes weigh in?
Loved this one. Grew up in a liquor industry home…my dad published a trade magazine. And my brother bottled whiskey, blended from several sources. He was lucky and sold it for a nice sum.
Years ago I worked for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission as an enforcement attorney. Booze + strippers = the funniest cases I've ever worked on.
Good share! As a bourbon lover I will seek a taste of the Rye you speak of and raise a glass to your well rounded life.
My horizons are expanded! Thanks.
I’m a long-time tea-totaler, but it’s always fun to see how various products are made (and in this case, heavily regulated).
I wish I could audit that course.
In Alabama, a group called Free the Hops succeeded in getting a lot of state and county laws repealed about 20 years ago. (Before that, there were some utterly bizarre laws; for instance, in order to operate a brewpub, you had to prove that beer had been brewed at that location prior to the Civil War.) Alabama is still a control state, but brewpubs can now distill and sell direct. There's still a lot to be done; shipping wine direct to consumer still has a lot of restrictions. My wife and I belong to the wine club of a Sonoma distillery, and every time they send me a wine shipment, they have to send it to an ABC store and I have to go pick it up and pay a $0.86 tax.
"in a highly regulated industry, a legal education is a huge competitive advantage."
Yes. Which is why allowing lawyers to legislate is a conflict of interest.
Election to a legislative position should require the rescission of the individuals license to practice law, with a ban on practicing law for an extended period after the term of service.
Life is filled with interests beyond politics (or should be). Thanks!
The largest still? Just eyeballing, it looks to be the same size as the ones that Garrison Bros. have in Hye, Texas, about an hour and a half west of Austin.
So bummed I never got to take this class.
I enjoyed this post and appreciate your initiative in offering the course and including the field trip. I believe that many people who gravitate to law school have very little experience with or appreciation for industrial enterprises and the issues and difficulties they face and deal with.
Here's an interesting law that affects many counties, but not Knox County too much, thanks to Victor Ashe - a silver lining to finger annexation, depending on one's attitude towards booze: Tennessee only allows package stores in municipalities. The liquor lobby apparently likes the current situation because there is somewhat of a ceiling on the number of package stores out there, so changing that law from the 1800s(?) won't happen anytime soon. Because Knoxville's tendrils spread all over the county from finger annexation, this commodity is fairly available. See I give Ashe credit where credit is due.
Interesting, diverting and fun read for a Friday morning!
Fascinating. (And nicely distilled.)
You are well-suited to teach such a course. i would be well-suited to take it. given your location, i'm sure it's whiskey-centric, but in this age of tariffs, what about US production of tequila?
Sounds like a great course. I find it fascinating that hobby distillation is "still" apparently illegal under federal law, although (as I'm sure you know) one court has declared that aspect of the law unconstitutional. Will the Supremes weigh in?
https://reason.com/2024/10/07/home-distilling-ban-struck-down/
https://www.distillerytrail.com/blog/federal-judge-rules-ban-on-home-distilling-is-unconstitutional-tonight-were-going-to-party-like-its-1868/
Loved this one. Grew up in a liquor industry home…my dad published a trade magazine. And my brother bottled whiskey, blended from several sources. He was lucky and sold it for a nice sum.
I think ATFE needs to get a mention between Treasury and TTB. I can come give a guest lecture on Wine :)