Middle West Wins 4 Medals At ACSA Competition
A Columbus distillery won four medals at the 2025 American Craft Spirits Awards, sponsored by the American Craft Spirits Association. All of Middle West Spirits’ medals came in the whiskey category, with its Cask Strength [Read More]
DISCUS Urges Pause To Trade War Affecting Spirits, Wine Exports
The U.S. spirits industry is urging President Donald Trump to rethink his trade war after the president threatened a 200 percent tariff on European spirits and wine. In a post March 13 on his Truth [Read More]
Permit Holders Urged To Serve Responsibly During March Festivities
COLUMBUS — With St. Patrick’s Day and the beginning of the NCAA basketball tournament slated to take place on back-to-back days, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control is reminding Ohio permit holders [Read More]
ACLU Of Ohio Voices Concerns Over Digital ID Legislation
COLUMBUS — Privacy concerns recently were raised over legislation authorizing the use of digital driver’s licenses and state identification cards, and state lawmakers moved to assure such IDs could not be used for one important [Read More]
Ohioans Tip Above National Average, New Survey Finds
Ohioans tip above the national average according to a new survey of the tipping behaviors in the United States. The average tip nationally is 18.85 percent, with notable differences based on gender, age and place [Read More]
Sponsor: SB 23 Would ‘Modernize’ State’s Alcoholic Beverages Franchise Law
COLUMBUS — Legislation pending in the Ohio Senate will modernize Ohio’s alcoholic beverages franchise law to reflect the reality of the current brewing industry, according to the bill’s sponsor. Senate Bill 23 would redefine “manufacturer” [Read More]
HB 150 Seeks To Strengthen Ohio’s Minor Labor Laws
COLUMBUS — A pair of state lawmakers have introduced legislation they say is intended to protect minors from entering the workforce prematurely. House Bill 150 authorizes a school employee to immediately report to the principal [Read More]
Al-Bev Industry Coalition Urges Lifting Of Canada, Mexico Tariffs
A group of 52 associations representing the entire three-tier chain of the U.S. alcohol industry issued a statement March 5 urging President Donald Trump to lift the tariffs he placed on Mexican and Canadian imports [Read More]
Columbus Bourbon Part Of Lost Lantern Spring Collection
VERGENNES, Vt. — An Ohio-produced bourbon is featured in independent bottler Lost Lantern’s Spring 2025 Collection. The Lost Lantern Spring 2025 Collection, consisting entirely of finished whiskies, highlights new American finishing traditions, moving beyond tradition [Read More]
Legally Speaking: Temporary Permits Allow Al-Bev Sales For Fundraising
Any person desiring to sell alcohol beverages in Ohio must first obtain a permit, including those who wish to sell for a charitable or fund-raising events. The Division of Liquor Control issues temporary permits for [Read More]
Senate OKs Cannabis Bill Giving OIU Agents Enforcement Power
COLUMBUS — The agents charged with enforcing liquor laws could be called upon to help enforce Ohio’s marijuana regulations under legislation passed Feb. 26 by the state Senate. Senate Bill 56 repeals most of the state’s [Read More]
Through the Grapevine: OWPA Marks 50 Years, And Counting
The Ohio Wine Producers Association is celebrating its 50th anniversary in March 2025. In 1975, on a pretty March day on the campus of Ohio State University, a group of forward-thinking pioneers gathered at a [Read More]
HB 78 Expands On Governor’s Digital ID Initiative, Sponsor Testifies
COLUMBUS — Legislation authorizing the use of digital driver’s licenses and state identification cards is an extension of an initiative launched last year by Ohio’s governor , the bill’s sponsor testified. Last year, Ohio Gov. [Read More]
Sponsor: SB 30 Addresses Issues Of ‘Unbanked,’ More
COLUMBUS — The sponsor of legislation requiring retail merchants to give customers the option to pay in cash says his bill addresses several issues associated with cashless transactions. Senate Bill 30 prohibits a person selling [Read More]
First Cidery, Meadery Members Join Ohio Craft Brewers Association
COLUMBUS — The Ohio Craft Brewers Association recently added its first cidery/meadery members. Dutch Creek Winery in Athens, TinCap Hard Cider in Wilmington and Twenty One Barrels Hard Cider in Bradford are the first of [Read More]
Sponsor Says HB 19 Targets Parents Who Allow Teens To Drink
COLUMBUS — A state lawmaker’s measure to reduce the “mental state” applied to the law that prohibits an underage person from possessing or consuming alcohol is the result of an increase in what he sees [Read More]
State Senator: Jury Should Decide Liability In Food Injury Cases
COLUMBUS — Responding to what he called a “disgraceful” Ohio Supreme Court decision, a Columbus state senator introduced a bill this month to provide for a reasonable expectation test in determining liability for injury caused [Read More]
Testimony: Expanded Teen Hours In SB 50 Open Employment Opportunities
COLUMBUS — A representative of an Ohio hospitality group recently voiced his support for a bill that would allow certain teenagers to work until 9 p.m. Senate Bill 50 would allow 14- and 15-year-olds to [Read More]
Legally Speaking: Rule 50 Prohibits Drink Specials After 9 P.M.
Maintaining an atmosphere of responsible consumption is an important issue for permit holders and lawmakers. Therefore, the Ohio General Assembly has authorized the Liquor Control Commission to enact regulations promoting the “maintenance of public decency, [Read More]
HB 94 Would Allow Online Posting Of Certain Labor Law Notices
COLUMBUS — Legislation introduced Feb. 11 in the Ohio House of Representatives would allow employers to post certain labor law notices on the internet. House Bill 94 allows for employers to post notices about a [Read More]
HB 78 Authorizes Creation, Use Of Digital Driver’s Licenses, IDs
COLUMBUS — Legislation introduced Feb. 10 would authorize the use of digital driver’s licenses and state identification cards as proof of identity. House Bill 78 charges the registrar of motor vehicles with developing, implementing and [Read More]
Ohio Liquor Sales Down In 2024 For Third Straight Year
COLUMBUS — Liquor sales dropped in 2024 for the third straight year, according to figures released by the Ohio Division of Liquor Control. 2024 liquor sales reached 16.4 million gallons, a 2.6 percent decrease from [Read More]
Ohio AG Seeks Delay Of JobsOhio Liquor Lease Extension
COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is seeking to delay a 15-year extension of JobsOhio’s lease on state liquor profits, a deal Yost says requires nothing in return from the private corporation. The proposal [Read More]
Who’s News: DISCUS, MGP Ingredients, Brewers Association
DISCUS- Castle, Barger, Lang; MGP INGREDIENTS- Buttshaw; BREWERS ASSOCIATION- Watson, Pease [Read More]
Cincinnati Distilling To Open Bottle Shop In Columbus
CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Distilling on Feb. 6 announced plans to open its second standalone bottle shop in Columbus. The new bottle shop will be located at Polaris Fashion Place on Polaris Parkway. The new location, [Read More]