Archive for the ‘Stop HR 1161’ Category

Apr 21, 2011

The Vague Claims of Beer Wholesalers on H.R. 1161

I'm in public relations. One of the things that means is that I know the value of being vague. However, there's a big difference in be vague about the pH levels in a wine and being vague when you are speaking of issues of momentous import. Vague claims about a wine's pH level are likely never to matter or get resolved because, frankly, they are not all that important to many people. But when you make a vague claim about…

Apr 18, 2011

How To Serve Wine Lovers AND Pass HR 1161

HR 1161, commonly referred to as the CARE ACT, has divided the alcohol industry, pitting wholesalers (who wrote the bill) against producers and retailers who see the bill as a power grab by wholesalers that will lead to discriminatory state laws aimed at excluding producer and retailers from accessing out-of-state markets and will protect wholesalers from competition. Wholesalers complain that this is an unfair assessment of HR 1161. They complain that the bill does nothing except preserve the state's right…

Mar 30, 2011

Craig Purser and the Beer Wholesalers’ Hoodwinking of Congress

The term "Hoodwinked" reportedly originates in the 16th century. It meant then the actually covering of a person's head with a hood to prevent them from seeing anything, such as when an executioner would cover the head of a doomed criminal prior to execution. Today's usage of the term "hoodwinked" refers to tricking someone. And this is exactly what is happening in Washington, DC as America's beer wholesalers attempt to convince lawmakers to support one of the most radical proposals…

Mar 21, 2011

HR 1161–Watching Wine Distributors Eat Their Own

"No legitimate player in the industry feels litigation is an appropriate method for establishing or altering alcohol policy."Craig Wolf, President, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers Association The above quote comes from a press release issued by WSWA applauding the introduction of HR 1161. One wonders if WSWA's two largest members, and the two largest wine wholesalers in America, know have been identified as as "illegitimate" by their very own trade association.  After all, consider… • In 2001 Glazers Wholesale Distributor sued…

Mar 18, 2011

The Lies and Fallacies Behind the Wine Bill HR 1161

What lies and fallacies lie ahead in the effort to prevent America's beer wholesalers from passing HR 1161 and keeping craft beers, wines and a spirits out of consumer hands? This one: "the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution created a  state-based system of alcohol regulation that effectively balances local  community control, tough consumer protections as well as choice and variety." This particular lie is told by the National Beer Wholesalers Association in their press release applauding the introduction of…