March 25, 2025 7:41 am
The Distilled Spirits of the United States (DISCUS) today issued a call to action in partnership with the Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition as uncertainty about tariffs continues. A DISCUS petition campaign urging the administration not to impose tariffs on spirits generated nearly 13,000 signatures earlier this year.
Now, Spirits United is expanding its campaign efforts with the Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition, a group of 54 associations representing the entire three-tier chain of the U.S. alcohol industry and related industries. The new campaign urges the administration to secure fair and reciprocal tariff-free trade with our key trading partners. Consumers, distillers, vintners, the hospitality and retail sectors, and other industry stakeholders can take action here.
“The coalition is urging everyone connected to the spirits and wine industries, from bartenders, consumers, manufacturers, farmers, importers and exporters, to tell the administration that tariffs on distilled spirits and wines put American jobs at risk and must be eliminated,” said Chris Swonger, DISCUS President and CEO. “Securing fair and reciprocal tariff-free trade with our key trading partners will lead to an increase in U.S. wine and spirits exports and investments, and U.S. job growth. We need toasts, not tariffs!”


BACKGROUND

• Nearly 86% of U.S. spirits exports go to countries that have eliminated tariffs on all U.S. spirits, and approximately 98% of spirits imports originate from countries that have eliminated tariffs on U.S. spirits.
• U.S. spirits have achieved duty-free (zero-for-zero) access with 51 trading partners.
• Most U.S. wine exports go to countries with low or zero import duties.
• Now: Canada is imposing a 25% tariff on American spirits and wines and has pulled these products off store shelves in most provinces.
• April 2: The U.S. could impose 25% tariffs on tequila, mezcal and Canadian whisky, when the current suspension expires.
• April 2: The U.S. could impose tariffs on wines and spirits from a range of countries, including a 200% tariff on European Union (EU) alcohol products.
• April 13: The EU’s previously imposed 25% tariff on American whiskeys is currently suspended. However, if there is no agreement on steel and aluminum, tariffs are scheduled to be reinstated at 50%. The EU could also impose tariffs on additional categories of U.S. spirits and wines.

We urge President Trump to lift the tariffs on Mexican and Canadian distilled spirits and wine due to the special nature of our products. We commend the administration’s objectives to protect the American people and support jobs in the United States, however, we are concerned these tariffs will not contribute to that effort.
Many wine and spirits categories, such as Tequila and Bourbon, are designated as distinctive products that can only be produced in certain geographical regions around the world. As a result, the production of these products cannot simply be moved to another country or region.
American wines and spirits have benefitted from fair and reciprocal trade with Canada and Mexico. These U.S. tariffs on Mexico and Canada will result in great harm to U.S. companies and employees throughout the wine and spirits supply chain, from restaurants, bars and retail outlets, to shippers and importers/exporters of spirits and wine products. We are also greatly troubled that U.S. alcohol products are being removed from Canadian stores as a result of this trade dispute and will now also face retaliatory tariffs in Canada.
U.S. wines and spirits are made with agricultural products sourced from farmers across the United States. Our products are key pillars of the U.S. hospitality industry supporting restaurants and bars across the country. Sales of wine and spirits in the U.S. have slowed in recent years, and restaurants in cities across the country continue to try to stabilize post Covid. Hitting wine and spirits with tariffs will further stall their recovery and hurt U.S. consumers.
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The Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition is a group of 52 associations representing the entire three-tier chain of the U.S. alcohol industry and related industries.

ARLNOW
By Katie Taranto and Scott McCaffrey
Published February 6, 2025 at 2:45PM

​A state bill that would loosen restrictions on liquor sales is picking up support from members of Arlington’s restaurant scene.
Restaurants with mixed beverage licenses in Virginia are mandated to make at least 45% of sales from food and no more than 55% of sales from liquor-based mixed beverages. Senate Bill 1163 would lower the food sale requirement to 30%, allowing higher revenue percentages from liquor — something multiple restaurant owners told ARLnow they would welcome.
The current regulation, referred to as the “food-to-beverage ratio,” is the reason why no bars technically exist in Virginia.
Greg DeFlorio, a general manager at Ballston Local, told ARLnow that he supports a policy change on behalf of his peers.
“It would actually help some of the surrounding businesses that don’t sell as much food,” DeFlorio said. “I think food should always still be available to somebody that is drinking, but I think it would help businesses to lower that ratio a little bit.”
The legislation, DeFlorio noted, would not significantly affect Ballston Local, which typically sells about 60% food and 40% mixed beverages.
“We’re able to maintain a pretty good mix,” he added.
The legislation, patroned by Virginia Sen. Ryan McDougle, R-Mechanicsville, would apply to restaurants and caterers with monthly food sales of at least $4,000. The bill passed the Senate, 36-4 on Feb. 2, and moved to consideration in the House of Delegates.
The bill also mandates that restaurants have at least as many seats at tables as at counters, and prohibits licensees from serving mixed beverages once food is no longer being sold for on-premises consumption.
Courthaus Social owner Kaveh Safa supports a lowered food sale ratio, although similar to Ballston Local, his restaurant’s beer garden concept is not hindered by liquor sale limits.
“It doesn’t really affect us too much,” Safa said. “But I think at the end of the day, I mean, more flexibility for bar owners probably is not a bad thing.”
Local business groups have hesitated to weigh in on the topic, however.
The Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Travel Association — which has an Arlington-Alexandria chapter — aims to represent the interests of its industries statewide. It told ARLnow that it is “neutral” on the regulation, a similar response it gave WTVR after a policy briefing in December.
The Arlington Chamber of Commerce, meanwhile, lists support for “streamlined ABC laws that benefit restaurants” as part of its General Assembly policy positions — though the organization declined to comment for this story.
This is not the first time state lawmakers or business owners have attempted to change the ratio. Challenges date back about a decade, and most recently spang up last year, when a Portsmouth restaurateur sued Virginia ABC, WTKR reported.
A bill similar to SB 1163 by Virginia Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Fredericksburg, won unanimous Senate passage in 2024, but failed to advance to a floor vote in the House of Delegates.
Critics of the food-to-beverage ratio often claim it inhibits small businesses and restaurants serving top-shelf liquors, or label it as antiquated. The original law dates back to 1968 and was more stringent. It counted beer and wine in alcohol sales and required 51% of restaurant sales to come from food.
The law as it currently stands has not been updated for 45 years.
Advocates of maintaining the ratio say it helps prevent alcohol overconsumption, and that restaurants have put resources and effort into meeting the current guidelines.
“That ratio is there for a reason,” Safa said. “I guess in Virginia, you know, they don’t want places just slinging only drinks.”
If passed by the House of Delegates and signed into law, the measure would be in effect through June 2027. It would require the Virginia ABC to collect data on compliance and report back to the General Assembly by November 2026.

WJZNews
By Janay Reece
Updated on: January 30, 2025 / 3:51 AM EST / CBS Baltimore

LOCAL NEWS
Maryland lawmakers push to allow cocktails to-go in Baltimore CountyBy Janay Reece
Updated on: January 30, 2025 / 3:51 AM EST / CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE COUNTY — You may want to get your favorite drink order ready.
Maryland lawmakers are proposing a new bill, HB 0770, that may make it easier for adults to order cocktails to-go from their favorite restaurant.
"I think it's time to open Baltimore County up to allow this really reasonable practice," said Kathy Szeliga, Baltimore County District 7A Delegate.

Past Alcohol Beverage Laws In 2021 Gov. Larry Hogan signed a bill extending the take-out cocktails and alcohol delivery measure during the covid pandemic. 
The initiative ended in 2023. 
But Maryland Lawmakers like Del. Szeliga and Del. Carl Jackson are working together to bring the measure back to Baltimore County permanently. 
"You can currently get alcohol delivered in Baltimore County, a closed bottle of wine, a closed beer. So this really makes sense, and is part of modernizing the way we do things today," explained Szeliga.
Gelmin Portillo owner Taco Love Grill in White Marsh. The restaurant has been open since 2011. He believes for some restaurants alcohol and drink sales are changing.
"We also have to understand that after the pandemic, there's been a shift in the way that consumers behave when it comes to eating out," explained Portillo. "There's less and less people dining out, and we have to adapt to those times as well."
Current Alcohol Beverage Laws Portillo believes the new bill could help — if it is done right.
"This type of regulation has been proven that it can work in other jurisdictions, and we believe that it can work here as well with the right regulation," said Portillo.
Currently, there are some Maryland counties that let users order alcoholic beverages from local merchants for delivery by third-party platforms like DoorDash.  
Delivery drivers will have to apply for a service permit at an annual rate of $1,000, which allows them to deliver alcohol from authorized businesses.  
People who purchase or receive alcoholic beverages must be at least 21 years old and provide valid identification as proof of age upon delivery of the alcohol.
With HB0770 being introduced, it will expand what restaurants can offer to customers.
"You can currently get alcohol delivered in Baltimore County, a closed bottle of wine, a closed beer. So this really makes sense, and is part of modernizing the way we do things today" said Szeliga. 
Addressing Concerns Szeliga is aware there are safety concerns surrounding the proposed bill, but she said there are provisions within it to protect customers. 
"This bill has provisions like the cocktail to go has to have a lid, without a straw, without a hold or a straw, and it's going to be taped down which makes sense because you don't want it to spill. And you know, we'll have revisions to ensure it's not something that could be easily accessed," Szeliga explained.
"Know that it can be done, and this bill is going to have some provisions in it to ensure that people are not drinking and driving and that minors are not getting a hold of it."
The bill is still in its early stages and has a few more steps before it can go to the governor's desk.

WNCT9
by: Gabby Sartori, Mekaela Muck
Posted: Jan 6, 2025 / 01:05 PM EST
Updated: Jan 6, 2025 / 11:20 PM EST

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — Ordering takeout is one of the most convenient forms of customer service for many people. 
Cocktails to-go are officially back after their five-year hiatus since COVID-19. Under Senate Bill 527, you can order a cocktail to-go through a restaurant’s order service or Doordash. 
During COVID-19, Sup Dogs initially had the cocktail to-go service and they are excited to have it back once again.
“It’s nice that people are over order food and maybe instead of spending 10, 20 bucks on food, they’re adding on an additional 510 bucks for a drink to go,” Owner of Sug Dogs Bret Oliverio said. “So, it’s additional revenue for restaurants and, you know, I’m just glad that there’s processes in place that make things safe and gives restaurants a chance to make a little bit more revenue.” 
When ordering a cocktail to-go, you must order a meal too. North Carolina is the 29th state to permanently allow cocktails to-go.