Legal Libations

Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission Investigation Results in Fines and Injunction Against Retailers Illegally Shipping to Consumers in Tennessee

After several years of investigations, the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) announced a court-approved...

June 4, 2024

Beer Law • General Law Update • Legal requirements

WORKFORCE EXPANSION BILL OPENS ELIGIBILITY FOR TENNESSEE LIQUOR-BY-THE-DRINK LICENSEES

We are pleased to have Ryan Mercurio, lawyer in our firm’s alcohol licensing division, author the below article which...

May 9, 2024

FTC PUBLISHES RULE BANNING NON-COMPETES

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is publishing a proposed rule (Non-Compete Clause Final Rule (ftc.gov) which...

May 8, 2024

Beer Law • General Alcohol Update • General Law Update • Legal requirements

HOW TO REGISTER LOW AND HIGH GRAVITY BEER BRANDS WITH TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

We at BSH are frequently provide guidance and compliance assistance for suppliers and wholesalers with the...

September 8, 2023

Beer Law • Liquor Law • TABC Updates • TTB information

UPDATE TO TENNESSEE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE COMMISSION RESTAURANT/BAR APPLICATION PROCESS

On August 30, 2023, the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission communicated a change to the licensing application...

September 5, 2023

BIG NEWS FOR TENNESSEE WINE – PROPOSED UPPER CUMBERLAND VITICULTURAL AREA

On Tuesday, August 29th, the The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) published the Proposed Establishment of...

September 1, 2023

HARRINGTON CONTRIBUTES GUEST COLUMN TO NASHVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL

I was pleased to be asked by the Nashville Business Journal to pen a guest column regarding the state of cannabis in...

February 13, 2023

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO HOW TAX CREDITS FOR IMPORTED ALCOHOL UNDER CRAFT BEVERAGE MODERNIZATION ACT WORK

If you operate as a U.S. alcoholic beverage importer that remits federal excise tax, or a foreign supplier of alcohol...

February 10, 2023

Beer Law • Liquor Law • Uncategorized

NASHVILLE CANNABIS LIVE CHAT

On November 10, 2022, I was invited as Chairman of the Tennessee Medical Cannabis Commission to participate in the Big...

February 10, 2023

BSH member and Chairman of the Tennessee Medical Cannabis Commission, Curtis Harrington, interviewed by National Public Radio regarding the commission’s work and the state of cannabis in Tennessee.

A commission named by the Tennessee legislature to study medical cannabis regulation is struggling to get the attention...

December 20, 2022

HOW TO OBTAIN A “USE UP” REQUEST FOR DISTILLED SPIRITS OR WINE LABELS

If you are a distillery, winery, or brand owner of alcoholic beverages, and have been in business long enough, you have...

July 26, 2022

WHAT ARE “INFUSED” ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND CAN BARS AND RESTAURANTS INFUSE COCKTAILS WITH CANNABIS?

In the state of Tennessee, we have special regulations which allow the production and sale of “infused” alcoholic...

July 5, 2022

Local attorney appointed to Tennessee Medical Cannabis Commission

Attorney Curtis R. Harrington II, of Nashville-based law firm Belcher Sykes Harrington, has been appointed by Gov. Bill...

April 12, 2022

FEDERAL REPUBLICAN CANNABIS BILL SEEKS TO TREAT CANNABIS LIKE ALCOHOL AND OFFERS SWEEPING REFORMS

GOP Congresswoman Mace, a South Carolina Republican, has introduced the States Reform Act (SRA), which joins the MORE...

November 17, 2021

FEDERAL ALCOHOL TAX AND TRADE BUREAU REACHES OUT TO VICTIMS OF HURRICANE IDA AND WILDFIRE DISASTERS

My wife and I are from Louisiana and are so thankful that our families and loved ones made it through Hurricane...

September 2, 2021

METRO NASHVILLE INCREASES TAX RATE FOR THE CENTRAL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (“CBID”)

On July 1, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (“Metro”) imposed a fee increase to the...

August 5, 2021

TENNESSEANS TO ENJOY SWEEPING SALES TAX HOLIDAY

Special thanks to my Loyal Lieutenant, Janelle Beasley, formerly of the Tennessee Department of Revenue, for authoring...

July 30, 2021

News

TTB ENFORCEMENT MEASURES UPDATE: TTB TRADE PRACTICE/TIED HOUSE VIOLATION RESULTS IN $850,000 FINE FOR ILLINOIS WHOLESALER

A TTB Trade Practice Investigation has resulted in an $850,000 Offer in Compromise for Illinois-based wholesalers, RN...

June 25, 2021

TTB information

WHAT TYPES OF BEER WHOLESALER/DISTRIBUTOR CHANGES REQUIRE SUPPLIER CONSENT?

In this article, I will discuss some of the laws and considerations pertaining to when a beer wholesaler is required to...

May 3, 2021

Beer Law

NASHVILLE EASES COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS FOR BARS/RESTAURANTS/GATHERINGS

On Wednesday, April 14th, Nashville Mayor John Cooper announced that COVID restrictions applying to bars,...

April 16, 2021

COVID-19 Updates • Nashville Beer Info

TENNESSEE ALCOHOL DIRECTOR ISSUES STATEMENT RE: ONLINE SALES BY LIQUOR STORES

On Monday, February 8, 2021, Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission Director Russell Thomas released the below...

February 12, 2021

COVID RESTRICTIONS FOR NASHVILLE BARS, RESTAURANTS, BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES AS WE HEAD INTO 2021

2021 is finally here – may it be a bit kinder on humankind than its predecessor. As we head into the New Year, it is...

January 1, 2021

COVID-19 Updates • General Alcohol Update • Legal requirements • Nashville Beer Info

POPPIN’ BOTTLES : CAN BARS, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SELL BOTTLES OF LIQUOR TO CUSTOMERS IN TENNESSEE?

Here at Belcher Sykes Harrington, PLLC, we hope that you are responsibly “poppin’ bottles” this holiday season...

November 30, 2020

General Alcohol Update • Liquor Law

GROWING COVID-19 NUMBERS, MORE STATE SHUTDOWNS, AND THE AFFECT ON ALCOHOL AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRIES

Unless you have been living under a rock, in a primitive cabin in the Alaskan wilderness (can I visit?), or deep in the...

November 20, 2020

COVID-19 Updates

FEDERAL LABELING TIP: HOW TO INCLUDE NET CONTENTS ON YOUR BEER LABEL FOR QUICKER TTB APPROVAL

We handle a great deal of beer, wine and distilled spirits labeling and compliance work and we always love to share...

November 10, 2020

Beer Law • TTB information

NASHVILLE BARS ALLOWED TO REOPEN WITH UP TO 25 PATRONS

On Thursday, August 13th, Nashville Mayor John Cooper stated that Nashville bars will be allowed to reopen on Monday,...

August 14, 2020

COVID-19 Updates • TABC Updates

METRO NASHVILLE BEER BOARD VOTES TO EXTEND CURBSIDE SALES AND DELIVERY THROUGH OCTOBER 2020

Through Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Beer Board Emergency Order No. 1 (which we blogged...

July 30, 2020

COVID-19 Updates • Nashville Beer Info

GOVENOR LEE ORDERS THE EXTENSION OF TENNESSEE’S STATE OF EMERGENCY IN EXECUTIVE ORDER 50

On June 29, 2020, Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 50 extending the State of Emergency related to the ongoing...

July 17, 2020

COVID-19 Updates

NASHVILLE BACK TO PHASE 2: HOW TO OPERATE AS A BAR OR RESTAURANT IN MODIFIED PHASE 2

Due to a recent spike in COVID-19 cases, Mayor John Cooper has decided to revert the city back to a modified Phase 2....

July 15, 2020

COVID-19 Updates • General Alcohol Update • Nashville Beer Info

FEDERAL ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO TAX AND TRADE BUREAU (TTB) EXTENDS BEER DESTRUCTION NOTICE WAIVER

See the below notice distributed by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and Tennessee Brewer’s Guild...

June 29, 2020

Beer Law • TTB information

HOW TO REOPEN DURING COVID AS A BAR, RESTAURANT OR BREWERY IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Whether you agree or disagree with the policy decision to reopen a city during COVID may depend on what side of the bar...

May 8, 2020

Beer Law • General Alcohol Update • Legal requirements • Nashville Beer Info • TABC Updates • TTB information

HOW TO DELIVER ALCOHOL AS A RESTAURANT OR BAR DURING THE CORONAVIRUS

Restaurants and bars in Tennessee are finding much needed relief from Governor Lee’s suspension of the certain rules...

April 1, 2020

Beer Law • Nashville Beer Info

NOTICE TO ALL BREWERIES, RESTAURANTS AND BARS IN TENNESSEE THAT SERVE BEER

BEER DELIVERY AFTER GOVERNOR LEE’S ORDER AND HOW TO WORK WITH YOUR LOCAL BEER BOARD

March 24, 2020

TENNESSEE GOVERNOR LEE ALLOWS TAKE-OUT/DELIVERY OF ALCOHOL BY RESTAURANTS IN COVID-19 EXECUTIVE ORDER & NASHVILLE MAYOR COOPER ISSUES STAY AT HOME/QUARANTINE ORDER

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed an executive order on March 22, 2020, which, among other Covid-19 related matters,...

March 23, 2020

TENNESSEE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATES

Our friends at the Tennessee Wine and Spirits Association (TWSRA) have summarized the most recent updates relating to...

March 20, 2020

HOW TO COMPENSATE TIPPED EMPLOYEES IN TENNESSEE – RULES AND PITFALLS

If you are a hospitality business owner, you likely have employees that participate in the receipt of tips and/or tip...

March 13, 2020

General Alcohol Update • Legal requirements • Memorandum • Uncategorized

Vote YES on SB 2059 in Senate Finance on Tuesday, March 10!

The Tennessee Hemp Industries Association (TNHIA) is urging supporters of Tennessee’s industrial hemp industry to...

March 9, 2020

FEDS AND STATE BANK REGULATORS ISSUE HEMP CLARITY

Earlier this month I was asked by a large, local bank to meet and discuss the industrial hemp industry and the current...

March 6, 2020

TENNESSEE HEMP INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION CALL TO ACTION

On March 2, 2020, Joe Kirkpatrick of the Tennessee Hemp Industries Association (TNHIA) published and circulated the...

March 4, 2020

TABC PRESS RELEASE: WINE IS THE ONLY ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE THAT CAN BE LEGALLY SHIPPED DIRECT TO CONSUMERS IN TENNESSEE

In a press release dated January 7, 2020, the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) disclosed the identities...

January 10, 2020

TENNESSEE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE COMMISSION ISSUES UPDATE PERTAINING TO DIRECT SHIPPING OF ALCOHOL AND FEDERAL REAL ID ACT

In December of 2019, the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission issued the following update, providing information on...

December 20, 2019

TABC Updates

HOW ALCOHOL MAIL-IN REBATES WORK IN TENNESSEE

CAN A WINERY THROW IN A THANKSGIVING TURKEY WITH YOUR PURCHASE OF ALCOHOL FROM A GROCERY STORE?

November 21, 2019

General Alcohol Update • Nashville Beer Info

TENESSEE AND OTHER STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL UNITE AGAINST ILLEGAL ONLINE SALES OF ALCOHOL

In late October of 2019, the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) sent letters to leading U.S. online...

November 13, 2019

Beer Law • Legal requirements

TENNESSEE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE COMMISSION CRACKS DOWN

ON DIRECT TO CONSUMER SHIPMENT OF ALCOHOL INTO TENNESSEE

November 11, 2019

METRO NASHVILLE BEER BOARD ANNOUNCES WELL-DESERVED PROMOTIONS FOR INSPECTORS DARBY AND JAMES

In the November 2019 Metro Nashville Beer Board Newsletter, Director Benton McDonough announced that Inspectors...

November 8, 2019

Nashville Beer Info

TTB Reminds Of Federal Excise Return Smart Form

In its newsletter of November 1, 2019, the Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) reminds of the...

November 6, 2019

Beer Law • Legal requirements • TABC News • TABC Updates • TTB information

KENTUCKY U.S. SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL DRAFTS PROPOSAL URGING FDA TO EXPEDITE CBD GUIDANCE

The FDA’s position as it pertains to marketing and selling CBD products as food items or dietary supplements is that...

September 20, 2019

DEA ISSUES NOTICE AFFIRMING INDUSTRIAL HEMP AS LEGAL AND EXPANDING MARIJUANA RESEARCH

On Monday, August 26, 2019, federal drug authorities, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced that it is...

September 16, 2019

Q&A WITH U.S. HEMP INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT, JOY BECKERMAN

I am a proud member of the U.S. Hemp Industry Association (HIA) and Tennessee Hemp Industry Association (TNHIA). ...

September 4, 2019

TENNESSEE ALCOHOL ENFORCEMENT REPORT – AUGUST 2019

At the August 29, 2019 meeting of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (“TABC”), Law Enforcement Chief Bond...

September 3, 2019

Beer Law • Nashville Beer Info • TABC News • TABC Updates

OBTAINING AN ALCOHOL SERVER PERMIT IN TENNESSEE

Are you an employer looking to provide guidance to your employees regarding alcohol server training and the obtaining...

June 14, 2019

Beer Law • Legal requirements • TABC News • TABC Updates

UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE ISSUES GUIDANCE REGARDING MAILING OF CBD/HEMP

Travis D. Hayes III, a USPS business program specialist, wrote in a USPS advisory opinion of March 4, 2019, titled the...

June 10, 2019

TSA’S APPROVAL OF CBD PRODUCTS TAKES FLIGHT

Flying across the country for work or play and don’t want to leave your CBD oil at home? Nervous about checking...

June 3, 2019

Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) Sting OP

On April 4, 2019, a Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) Sting operation took place in Brentwood, Tennessee,...

May 16, 2019

Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Trade Bureau Issues Guidance Regarding Production of Alcohol With Cannabis

The Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Trade Bureau (TTB) has issued a long-awaited statement pertaining to the producing of...

May 9, 2019

Beer Law • Hemp and Cannabis Updates • TTB information

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE TENNESSEE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE COMMISSION REGARDING LICENSE RENEWALS

On April 5, 2019, the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (“TABC”) issued an important notice to all holders of...

April 19, 2019

Heineken USA Incorporated Pays $2.5 Million Fine To Feds

The Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) Accepted a $2.5 Million Offer in Compromise from Heineken...

April 8, 2019

Beer Law

At the March 28, 2019 meeting of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (“TABC”), a new Assistant Director was...

March 30, 2019

Legal requirements • TABC News • TABC Updates

Dangers of Alcoholic Beverage Consignment Sales

Consignment sales, or sales which are predicated on an obligation to pay a supplier for goods only once goods are sold,...

February 18, 2019

TTB information

Nashville Beer Board Now Requiring….

Now Requiring Applicants to Obtain Their Own Background Checks

February 12, 2019