1. Government Affairs

Latest Updates

Learn about the latest developments across the state and federal government affairs arena from the Brewers Association’s Government Affairs team.

Marc Sorini

Vice President of Government Affairs

Sam DeWitt

Sam DeWitt

State Government Affairs Director

Sam DeWitt

Marc Preo

Special Projects Coordinator

New Mexico Excise Tax Hike Vetoed new mexico and us flags against sky

New Mexico Excise Tax Hike Vetoed

New Mexico Senate Bill 378, a bill that would have increased the excise tax on beer sold in the state, was vetoed by the Governor.Read More

Link to author biography

State Government Affairs Director

Sam DeWitt works state government affairs for the Brewers Association, and has lobbied craft beer bills from the east coast to Hawaii, on a wide range of topics from franchise reform and excise tax to self-distribution and direct-to-consumer shipping of beer. He has a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism from the University of Montana and fell in love with craft brewing as an undergraduate in Missoula.

See Sam DeWitt’s Articles

Comments Submitted on Performance Rights Organizations 2 musicians performing on stage

Comments Submitted on Performance Rights Organizations

The Brewers Association has submitted comments highlighting the challenges and frustrations related to Performing Rights Organizations.Read More

Link to author biography

Special Projects Coordinator

Marc Preo serves as the special projects coordinator on the Government Affairs team tracking federal regulatory affairs and state bill and rulemaking activity. A longtime homebrewing hobbyist and craft beer enthusiast, Marc enjoys spending as much time as he can in the mountains snowboarding, Nordic touring, and mountain biking.

See Marc Preo’s Articles

D.C. Update from the President & CEO bart still shot with capitol building

D.C. Update from the President & CEO

I was in Washington D.C. again this week and want to provide three updates on what we’re doing to support small and independent brewers.

Link to author biography

President & CEO

Bart Watson, president and chief executive officer for the Brewers Association, is a stats geek, beer lover, and Certified Cicerone. He holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, where in addition to his dissertation, he completed a comprehensive survey of Bay Area brewpubs one pint at a time. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @BrewersStats.

See Bart Watson’s Articles

Country-Specific Tariffs Lowered to 10% for 3 Months quadrant images of kegs, hops, barley, cans

Country-Specific Tariffs Lowered to 10% for 3 Months

Tariffs applied to imports from most U.S. trading partners were lowered to a standard 10% rate for 90 days, President Trump announced today.Read More

Link to author biography

Beer Marketer’s Insights is the leading publisher of U.S. beer industry trade newsletters since 1970. Find out more and subscribe at beerinsights.com.

See Beer Marketer’s Insights ‘s Articles

TTB Extends Comment Period for Proposed Labeling Rules beer next to clipboard in brewery with TTB logo

TTB Extends Comment Period for Proposed Labeling Rules

The TTB has extended the comment period on proposed labeling rules for alcohol facts and allergens by 120 days to August 15, 2025.Read More

Link to author biography

Special Projects Coordinator

Marc Preo serves as the special projects coordinator on the Government Affairs team tracking federal regulatory affairs and state bill and rulemaking activity. A longtime homebrewing hobbyist and craft beer enthusiast, Marc enjoys spending as much time as he can in the mountains snowboarding, Nordic touring, and mountain biking.

See Marc Preo’s Articles

See All Government Affairs Updates

Learn about opportunities and movements on the legislative and other fronts as it pertains to the beverage alcohol industry from the craft brewing industry’s top legal counsel, Marc Sorini.

Marc Sorini

Vice President of Government Affairs

Federal Court Restores Balance to Missouri’s Franchise Law Missouri capitol building with state flag

Federal Court Restores Balance to Missouri’s Franchise Law

Missouri small suppliers get a favorable franchise law court decision in Major Brands v. Mast-Jägermeister case.Read More

Link to author biography

Vice President of Government Affairs

Marc Sorini, vice president of government affairs for the Brewers Association, is a beer lover and homebrewer who has served as a counsel for small and independent craft brewers for more than two decades. Marc holds a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center and when he’s not contemplating beverage alcohol law, he’s homebrewing with his adult kids.

See Marc Sorini’s Articles

Court Supports Expanded Self-Distribution Abilities man loading cases of beer into truck

Court Supports Expanded Self-Distribution Abilities

An Iowa court decision on expanded direct sales to retailers could pave the way for greater self-distribution by suppliers.Read More

Link to author biography

Vice President of Government Affairs

Marc Sorini, vice president of government affairs for the Brewers Association, is a beer lover and homebrewer who has served as a counsel for small and independent craft brewers for more than two decades. Marc holds a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center and when he’s not contemplating beverage alcohol law, he’s homebrewing with his adult kids.

See Marc Sorini’s Articles

Intoxicating Hemp Beverages – A Legal Primer cans grouped together with a cannabis leaf laying on top

Intoxicating Hemp Beverages – A Legal Primer

Marc Sorini explains where “intoxicating hemp beverages” currently fit in the U.S. regulatory structure and what brewers need to know.Read More

Link to author biography

Vice President of Government Affairs

Marc Sorini, vice president of government affairs for the Brewers Association, is a beer lover and homebrewer who has served as a counsel for small and independent craft brewers for more than two decades. Marc holds a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center and when he’s not contemplating beverage alcohol law, he’s homebrewing with his adult kids.

See Marc Sorini’s Articles

Federal Antitrust Regulators Publish Revised Merger Guidelines FTC logo over image on brewery tanks

Federal Antitrust Regulators Publish Revised Merger Guidelines

Federal regulators have published a final version of their Merger Guidelines aimed at protecting fair competition in the U.S. economy.Read More

Link to author biography

Vice President of Government Affairs

Marc Sorini, vice president of government affairs for the Brewers Association, is a beer lover and homebrewer who has served as a counsel for small and independent craft brewers for more than two decades. Marc holds a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center and when he’s not contemplating beverage alcohol law, he’s homebrewing with his adult kids.

See Marc Sorini’s Articles

Brewers Association Submits Comments on Revised Federal Merger Guidelines row of fermenters with FTC logo

Brewers Association Submits Comments on Revised Federal Merger Guidelines

On September 18 the BA submitted comments to the Federal Trade Commission concerning the agency’s revised draft Merger Guidelines.Read More

Link to author biography

Vice President of Government Affairs

Marc Sorini, vice president of government affairs for the Brewers Association, is a beer lover and homebrewer who has served as a counsel for small and independent craft brewers for more than two decades. Marc holds a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center and when he’s not contemplating beverage alcohol law, he’s homebrewing with his adult kids.

See Marc Sorini’s Articles

See All Legal Insights
Was this article helpful?
YesNo