Greetings all:
I work with a law firm with decades of alcohol beverage licensing/permitting experience, primarily in the wine sector, and passed the following question up to the lead attorney (30+yrs of licensing/permitting experience):
"My compatriots in the artisan spirits world are putting together a petition/position document urging Federal legislators to encourage TTB to provide a reduced tax rate for small distillers (similar to what is in place for small wine producers). What are your thoughts on the likelihood of TTB entertaining such a proposition?"
His response:
"Hard sell. Worth a try, but I would bet against it. DISCUS (large distillers) will oppose, and probably vintners and brewers too. Maybe Fritz Maytag and Jorg Rupf would get behind it, which would help."
I am new to this discussion, and realize that the issue of resistance from others in the industry may have already been covered ad nauseum, but has anyone reached out to these two 'elder statesmen" of the American artisan/craft/micro-distilling?
As this attorney was instrumental in getting the small winery tax schedule passed, I have asked him for more information on how they went about placating the larger wineries, and will pass on any useful information.
Salute e Pace,
Giorgio
