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Forcing Breweries to Use a Distributor

Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:11 pm
Posted by ragincajun03
Member since Nov 2007
21225 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:11 pm
This article, where Stone Brewing is weighing in on a proposed bill in Alabama, was originally posted on Food Board, but I think would make a good Poli Board discussion on our alcohol distribution laws.

LINK

Can someone give a legit argument why a brewery should not be allowed to sell all of their product directly to the consumer if they so please. I believe right now in LA, they can sell up to 10 percent direct.

Why shouldn't they be allowed to sell 100 percent straight out of their own taproom or store if they wish?
Posted by SG_Geaux
Beautiful St George
Member since Aug 2004
77964 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:12 pm to
It's the good ole boy network.

Just like the laws that force car makers to sell through dealerships as opposed to having their own showrooms and selling directly.
This post was edited on 3/12/14 at 1:13 pm
Posted by kingbob
Sorrento, LA
Member since Nov 2010
67079 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:12 pm to
because then they wouldn't be able to get kick backs from the Mocklers.
Posted by BobBoucher
Member since Jan 2008
16726 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:14 pm to
follow the money
Posted by 90proofprofessional
Member since Mar 2004
24445 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:14 pm to
quote:

Can someone give a legit argument why a brewery should not be allowed to sell all of their product directly to the consumer if they so please.

no, i can't immediately think of any compelling reason
Posted by Y.A. Tittle
Member since Sep 2003
101390 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:15 pm to
quote:

It's the good ole boy network.


Sort of. Most of the established wine/liquor distributors in the state, have their roots in prohibition bootlegging operations.
Posted by PuntBamaPunt
Member since Nov 2010
10070 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:17 pm to
quote:

follow the money


this applies to pretty much every law.
Posted by MMauler
Member since Jun 2013
19216 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:20 pm to
Because Jessah needs all the shakedown opportunities he can get.

The Rev-uh-rund Jesse "The Shakedown King (of beers)" Jackson
Posted by CherryGarciaMan
Sugar Magnolia
Member since Aug 2012
2497 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:27 pm to
With the facilitation of information via the internet, I think we are reaching a point of a global awakening to the evils and universal corruption and cronyism of governments.

This is example #2348085
Posted by HubbaBubba
F_uck Joe Biden, TX
Member since Oct 2010
45748 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:35 pm to
No reason except costs. If a brewery wants to hire sales and staff all those trucks and pay the fees associated with shelf space, then they should be able to go for it. A distributor, though, already has the investment in those costs and pays the sales staff to negotiate shelf space and the drivers to deliver and in some cases, deliver and refresh the shelves. There is an enormous cost associated with going it alone, but by all means, go for it. I don't support helmet laws either. People should be allowed to slam their heads into a brick wall or concrete pavement if they choose to.
Posted by notiger1997
Metairie
Member since May 2009
58123 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:36 pm to
No good reason.
The deep pockets of the distributors in La will NEVER allow things to change. They have a sweet little gig here.
Posted by BobBoucher
Member since Jan 2008
16726 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:37 pm to
quote:

follow the money




this applies to pretty much every law.



exactly. and people think capitalism is dying at the hands of regulation.
Posted by Y.A. Tittle
Member since Sep 2003
101390 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:38 pm to
quote:

No reason except costs. If a brewery wants to hire sales and staff all those trucks and pay the fees associated with shelf space, then they should be able to go for it. A distributor, though, already has the investment in those costs and pays the sales staff to negotiate shelf space and the drivers to deliver and in some cases, deliver and refresh the shelves. There is an enormous cost associated with going it alone, but by all means, go for it. I don't support helmet laws either. People should be allowed to slam their heads into a brick wall or concrete pavement if they choose to.



LOL


What distributor do you work for?

How does chewing gum and canned corn get into stores?
Posted by SlowFlowPro
Simple Solutions to Complex Probs
Member since Jan 2004
422412 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:39 pm to
quote:

With the facilitation of information via the internet, I think we are reaching a point of a global awakening to the evils and universal corruption and cronyism of governments.

yes, but i think there is a less sinister reason for some of this. institutions developed in a time when we didn't have that sort of connectivity. this connectivity that makes distribution unecessary has changed everything. originally these laws, iirc, were there to protect consumers when there wasn't free flow of information and the same ability to choose like we have today

i think it's an example of the evils of government failing to adapt and the protectionism of current industry (again, failing to adapt and protection of the present-day issues)
Posted by DCRebel
An office somewhere
Member since Aug 2009
17644 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:46 pm to
quote:

Can someone give a legit argument why a brewery should not be allowed to sell all of their product directly to the consumer if they so please.


No.
Posted by GumboPot
Member since Mar 2009
118760 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:47 pm to
quote:

follow the money


Right.

I don't know what the laws are for breweries but for distilleries all states have a three tiered system except for Washington state. Washington's state excise tax is $35..22 per 80 proof gallon. Wyoming and New Hampshire do not have state excise taxes on spirits. The federal government gets $13.50 per 80 proof gallon.

The tax markup goes like this:

Distiller pays $13.50 per 80 proof gallon to the federal government.
Distributor pays state excise tax per 80 proof gallon based on each state's excise tax rate.
Retailer pays sales tax per unit.

It's essentially a value added tax.

In the case of Washington state you could be paying over $10 in taxes per 5th of distilled spirit. In the case of New Hampshire and Wyoming you're paying $2.7 + sales tax per 5th of spirit.
Posted by ragincajun03
Member since Nov 2007
21225 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:47 pm to
I get that. But they shouldn't be forced to.

If a brewery has a small operation and only wants to sell out of their own facilities, they should be able to.
Posted by GumboPot
Member since Mar 2009
118760 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:49 pm to
Furthermore, in order to become a distributor you need to have a physical building and maintain a minimum inventory, usually $50,000 worth on hand.

Typical protectionism.
Posted by GumboPot
Member since Mar 2009
118760 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:53 pm to
quote:

a brewery wants to hire sales and staff all those trucks and pay the fees associated with shelf space, then they should be able to go for it. A distributor, though, already has the investment in those costs and pays the sales staff to negotiate shelf space and the drivers to deliver and in some cases, deliver and refresh the shelves. There is an enormous cost associated with going it alone, but by all means, go for it. I don't support helmet laws either. People should be allowed to slam their heads into a brick wall or concrete pavement if they choose to.


This is also true. In Washington where the tree tiered system is NOT law but breweries, wineries and distillers still follow the three tiered model. Most alcoholic beverage makers would rather focus on their craft and third party out distribution.

With that said, there still should be a choice.
Posted by GumboPot
Member since Mar 2009
118760 posts
Posted on 3/12/14 at 1:59 pm to
quote:

proposed bill in Alabama,


Lol at bama...their state excise tax is $18.23 per 80 proof gallon. The highest in the SEC. That's why guys from bama head down to La. and load up on booze at Dorginac's at $10,000-$20,000 a pop and haul it back to bama.
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