When I first began focusing on alcohol law nearly a decade ago, I sought out a legal treatise on the topic. I was dismayed to discover that no such guide existed—not for lawyers, and not for the thousands of beverage businesses operating in the state. I couldn’t be happier to announce that this is no longer true.
Today marks the release of my ebook, Distilling Alcohol Law: Federal and California Unfair Trade Practices. I’ve created the legal resource I wished for back then—a comprehensive reference guide that conveys practical information about the laws for industry members and lawyers alike.
Distilling Alcohol Law summarizes the four categories of federal unfair trade practice laws: exclusive retail outlet, tied house, commercial bribery, and consignment prohibitions. It also explains California’s regulations on those business practices and what to do when federal and California laws differ. These laws form the foundation of the complex framework of federal and state alcohol laws, and are an essential baseline that all industry members—including producers, importers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers—must understand to stay compliant.
I invite you to read the press release and learn more about the ebook here. I welcome feedback and questions from attorneys, alcohol businesses operating in California (or hoping to), academics, law students, and any others with an interest in this area. Please don’t hesitate to reach out at [email protected].
