Cincinnati Distilling Announces New Bottle Shop
CINCINNATI – Cincinnati Distilling has unveiled plans for its third Ohio bottle shop, set to open at the Cincinnati Premium Outlets in Monroe. The new location joins the company’s existing bottle shop at Kenwood Towne [Read More]
DISCUS: U.S. Spirits Exports Hit Record $2.4 Billion In 2024
WASHINGTON — U.S. spirits exports achieved a record $2.4 billion in 2024, up nearly 10 percent compared to 2023, according to the American Spirits Exports Report released April 24 by the Distilled Spirits Council of [Read More]
Division Of Liquor Control Advocates For Prom, Graduation Responsibility
COLUMBUS — With prom and graduation season underway at high schools across the state, the Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of Liquor Control and the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Ohio Investigative Unit remind liquor [Read More]
Product News: Maker’s Mark
LORETTO, Ky. — Star Hill Farm Whisky is the first-ever American wheat whisky from the Maker’s Mark Distillery. [Read More]
Product News: Woodford Reserve
VERSAILLES, Ky. — Woodford Reserve has unveiled its $5,000 Mint Julep Charity Cup program for the 151st Kentucky Derby. [Read More]
Distracted Driving Down In Ohio 2 Years After ‘Phones Down’ Law
COLUMBUS — New data indicate that two years after Ohio’s “phones down” law targeting distracted driving took effect, the state is seeing positive, lifesaving results. Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 288 in 2023. According [Read More]
DISCUS Updates Marijuana, Intoxicating Hemp Policies
WASHINGTON — The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States has updated its marijuana and intoxicating hemp policies to address concerns regarding the 2018 Farm Bill loophole that enabled the proliferation of unregulated intoxicating hemp [Read More]
Legally Speaking: Division Promises Speed, Efficiency With New OPAL Platform
Starting June 2, the Division of Liquor Control will launch Ohio Permit and Licensing, or OPAL, which is the division’s new online liquor permitting and processing platform. Dave Raber Yes, this means the [Read More]
ABL: Alcohol Retailers Best Positioned To Sell Marijuana
BETHESDA, Md. — States should “draw upon the proven structures and practices used to regulate beverage alcohol” when crafting state regulation of adult-use marijuana, according to a recent memo from American Beverage Licensees. Policy language [Read More]
Budget Bill Lowers Tax Rate On Spirits-based RTDs
COLUMBUS — “Low-alcohol coolers” would be taxed at a lower rate than other spirituous liquor under the biennial state budget bill passed April 9 by the Ohio House of Representatives. Under House Bill 96, the [Read More]
Ohio Brewers Back Changes To Alcoholic Beverages Franchise Law
COLUMBUS — Several representatives of Ohio’s craft brewing industry argued April 9 that the time has come to change the state’s 50-year-old alcoholic beverages franchise law. House Bill 194 would redefine “manufacturer” under the Ohio [Read More]
Casino Commission Demands End Of Sports Event Contracts
COLUMBUS — The Ohio Casino Control Commission issued cease and desist notices this month to three companies offering event contracts on sporting events to Ohioans. An event contract is a type of financial derivative that [Read More]
Legislative Update: Bills Debut To Address Tips, No-Al Wine, SNAP
COLUMBUS — Recently introduced bills in the Ohio General Assembly separately address tip taxes, dealcoholized wine and food benefits. House Bill 209 would exempt tips from state, municipal and school district taxes. Specifically, it would [Read More]
Event To Celebrate Women In Ohio Craft Brewing
CINCINNATI — The Ohio Craft Brewers Association is celebrating the impact women have made on the state’s craft brewing industry with an event April 5 at Urban Artifact in Cincinnati's Northside neighborhood. The event, Pomona's [Read More]
Pay Stub Protection Act takes effect April 9
COLUMBUS — Ohio’s Pay Stub Protection Act takes effect on April 9 requiring employers to include certain details within their employees’ pay statements. One key provision of the act requires all Ohio employers to provide [Read More]
Americans Content With Current Alcohol Regulatory System, Survey Finds
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — According to a new poll released by the Center for Alcohol Policy, Americans overwhelmingly support the authority of states to set their own alcohol policy, are happy with local alcohol laws and [Read More]
Liquor Control Promotes Responsible Alcohol Use During Alcohol Awareness Month
COLUMBUS — In recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month during April, the Ohio Division of Liquor Control is reminding Ohio permit holders and consumers of the importance of following the state’s liquor laws and prioritizing responsible [Read More]
Legally Speaking: Court Again Rejects Challenge To Ohio’s Direct Shipping Laws
The Block v. Canepa lawsuit concerns an out-of-state wine retailer and an in-state wine consumer against the state of Ohio challenging the prohibition of the out-of-state wine retailer to obtain a retail license to ship [Read More]
Division ‘Committed’ To Guiding Nonprofits Through F Permit Process
COLUMBUS — Spring is a popular time for temporary liquor permits and the Ohio Division of Liquor Control is reminding organizations issued such permits they must abide by the state’s laws for the legal sale [Read More]
Sponsors: HB 94 Offers Online Option For Posting Labor Notices
COLUMBUS — As the workplace continues to evolve post-COVID, the need to keep workers apprised of information necessary to do their jobs is even more important, according to a pair of state lawmakers who are [Read More]
Cincinnati Distilling Debuts Nuxhall Tribute Bourbon
CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Distilling has partnered with the Joe Nuxhall Foundation to launch Joe Nuxhall Baseball Bat Aged Bourbon. The 90-proof bourbon, featuring a mash bill of 75 percent corn, 21 percent rye and 4 [Read More]
House Bill Authorizes OIU Agents For Marijuana Enforcement
COLUMBUS — A second piece of legislation introduced in the current session of the General Assembly seeks to enlist liquor agents to help enforce the state’s marijuana laws. While seeking to codify the state’s current [Read More]
HB 194 Would Revise Ohio’s Al-Bev Franchise Law
COLUMBUS — Legislation introduced March 24 in the Ohio House of Representatives seeks to revise the state’s Alcohol Beverage Franchise Law. House Bill 194 would redefine “manufacturer” under the Ohio Alcoholic Beverages Franchise Act of [Read More]
Appeals Court Upholds Dismissal of Permit Holder From Dram Shop Action
CANTON — The Fifth District Court of Appeals recently upheld a lower court ruling dismissing a North Canton permit holder from a lawsuit alleging violations of the Ohio Dram Shop Act. The March 3 ruling [Read More]
Federal Judge Rules In Favor Of Ohio In Direct Shipping Case
A federal judge ruled in favor of the state of Ohio on March 20 in a challenge to the state’s alcohol shipping laws. U.S. District Judge Sarah Morrison again ruled against an out-of-state retailer and [Read More]