Hospitality Law Blog

New KY Laws Bring Codified Private Barrel Selections, Satellite Tasting Rooms, and Lower Age for Alcohol-Related Jobs

As the 2022 Kentucky legislative session has come to a close, it’s time to review the new laws that emerged in Frankfort. For those in the alcoholic beverage industry, the most significant of these is HB 500, which contains several significant advances for distillers. Among these are the standardization and legalization of private barrel selection events and the opportunity for distilleries to establish satellite tasting rooms, two steps to promote bourbon tourism in the commonwealth. More >

Developments in Federal Law – Alcoholic Beverage Regulation: Congress Makes the CBMTRA Permanent and TTB Expands Allowable Standards of Fill

CBMTRA

To many, Washington D.C. has been consumed by COVID-19 and turbulence over the election, but to the alcoholic beverage industry there has been one goal dominating policy discussions: to make permanent the 2017 Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA), which was slated for expiration on December 31, 2020. More >

Legislative Session Ends with Passage of Alcohol Regulation Changes – Senate Bill 99

On April 15th, the day the Kentucky legislative session ended, the Kentucky Senate approved and forwarded Senate Bill 99 to Governor Beshear for his expected signature. While the bill has been overshadowed by House Bill 415 and the COVID-19 emergency, the bill’s impact on the Commonwealth’s alcohol industry is fairly substantial. More >

Hospitality Law 2018, Vol. II: Direct Shipping from Kentucky Distilleries and the Quota System

In a historic and bold stroke, the Kentucky General Assembly passed a measure on April 2 that is viewed as a tremendous leap forward for the Kentucky bourbon industry.  HB 400, signed by Governor Matt Bevin on April 13, 2018, clears the way for Kentucky distilleries to ship their products directly to the homes of distillery visitors. In light of the booming numbers of tourists flocking to Kentucky distilleries, these provisions are seen as an important way to leverage the interest in Kentucky bourbon and spread the cheer.

Shortly after the passage of HB 400, the General Assembly also passed a bill that codified into statute the quota liquor license scheme that has been a feature of Kentucky alcohol law since the end of prohibition, but had been otherwise slated for elimination by the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. That bill became law without the signature of Governor Matt Bevin on April 14, 2018.  More >

Kentucky Continues to Modernize Alcohol Law with Passage of HB 100 and HB 183

The Kentucky legislature took decisive action this year as it continues to take steps and modernize the alcoholic beverage industry. Two major initiatives were passed by both the House and Senate in March, and signed by Governor Bevin. More >

SB 11 Brings a Host of Changes to Kentucky Alcohol Law

On March 29^th, the Kentucky legislature moved to make changes to Kentucky alcohol laws through the passage of Senate Bill 11, a nod of apparent recognition towards the importance of Kentucky’s burgeoning hospitality tourism industry, and Gov. Bevin signed the bill into law on April 9^th. Rather than a sweeping bill of changes, SB 11 represents incremental steps sought by the industry to foster increased economic impact and better tourism experiences through a step away from Prohibition-era regulations. Brewers, wineries and distillers all stand to benefit at least somewhat from the changes. More >