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USA Govt Shutdown affects Beer Industry

The shutdown of the US government means that a backlog of new beer labels and recipes unable to be approved by the authorities is building – although taxes are still being collected. (The Drinks Business)

11/10/2013

According to USA Today, all new beer in the US must be approved by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (or TTB as it is known), especially if the beer uses non-traditional ingredients as many seasonal beers do.

However, with the continuing deadlock between the Democrats and Republicans, a backlog is developing in the office – although it is still collecting brewery taxes.

Speaking to USA Today, a spokeswoman for Brooklyn Brewery in New York, Carla Villa, explained: “Any delays in approvals create a “domino effect. It’s this one thing that then affects all these other things.

“We can’t launch beers on time, which means our distributors can’t sell it, which means our customers can’t buy it.”

Although breweries with previously approved labels can still sell beer, any new breweries that were seeking to begin selling their products now have to wait until the deadlock is broken, and even then they will have to wait until the backlog clears. 

Continue Reading full news article on The Drinks Business

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