Beer Law Center

Beer Law Center Beer Law Center is dedicated to helping breweries, wineries, and distilleries navigate the complex wo We focus our practice exclusively on this niche industry.

Beer Law Center is a focus area of the our practice at Matheson & Associates PLLC. Our office is located in Raleigh, and we have clients in other areas of business besides Craft Beer, but Craft Beer and artisanal alcohol is our passion. Understanding the laws, the concerns, and the needs of this highly regulated and highly passionate industry is critical to the success of your alcohol business. Le

t us help. John Szymankiewicz is a licensed Professional Engineer and Attorney in North Carolina. Embarking on a second career, John went to law school at night while juggling a demanding full time job, a family, and teaching at a local martial arts school. While launching his Raleigh law practice, John saw the need for trained, understanding attorneys focused on their clients needs in some key areas. Most importantly, this means developing an ongoing relationship, becoming a business partner, with clients instead of being merely a supplier of services. As such, in this law office, we strive to find the right solution for the client now and in the future. We look for opportunities to work collaboratively and keep costs down for our clients, principally individuals and small businesses. In addition to being a lawyer, John is an avid homebrewer who got bit by the brewing bug shortly after he discovered that beer need not be yellow fizzy stuff. John believes in continuous, life-long learning and is passionate about the Craft Beer industry. Part of that industry passion includes adopting the spirit that that giving back to the community and supporting the local, independent business person is part of our responsibility as good Beer Citizens.

Interesting analysis based on longevity in the industry from Matt Gacioch at Brewers Association . If you're in the indu...
05/29/2026

Interesting analysis based on longevity in the industry from Matt Gacioch at Brewers Association . If you're in the industry or going into the industry, it's helpful to know the likelihood of living past your first year. https://zurl.co/W3XH8

A quick look at aging in craft beer, exploring brewery survival rates, closure trends, and how brewery age varies by type.

Love the idea of a Brewers Association Podcast Playlist. Deceptive title, but still... nice. https://zurl.co/NZDG1
05/28/2026

Love the idea of a Brewers Association Podcast Playlist. Deceptive title, but still... nice. https://zurl.co/NZDG1

Psych! They do. But sometimes it can be hard to find the good ones. We can help.

Yes to all of these, and more. I always recommend to clients that you should have a full fledged policy manual outlining...
05/22/2026

Yes to all of these, and more. I always recommend to clients that you should have a full fledged policy manual outlining these and operational expectation, discipline, etc. Policies are there to protect the company, you should have (and follow) them. https://zurl.co/bKfMQ

Three considerations that are foundational to when considering the development of a brewery alcohol consumption policy.

Dare we hope that Anchor can come back? https://zurl.co/2Zyqj
05/19/2026

Dare we hope that Anchor can come back? https://zurl.co/2Zyqj

Two years ago, yogurt kingpin Hamdi Ulukaya saved Anchor Brewing. Then everything went silent. Now, a Chronicle investigation suggests that the comeback is underway.

Good read on the new bill in front of the NC Legislature on ABC changes. https://zurl.co/rKpX5
05/18/2026

Good read on the new bill in front of the NC Legislature on ABC changes. https://zurl.co/rKpX5

This story has been corrected.Lawmakers cracked open controversy over canned cocktails at a meeting at a North Carolina House committee meeting on Tuesday.

Value is not the same as Premiumization. It's also not the same as the "race to the bottom" (i.e. cheap beer). It's the ...
05/15/2026

Value is not the same as Premiumization. It's also not the same as the "race to the bottom" (i.e. cheap beer). It's the perceived value position. It's the product + the people + the story. And craft beer is good at that combination. https://zurl.co/LT7xQ

As alcohol consumers seek better value, brands can win by balancing price perception with purchase drivers

Every couple of years, the conversation re-starts about privatizing the NC ABC (spirits) system. It's that time again. B...
05/12/2026

Every couple of years, the conversation re-starts about privatizing the NC ABC (spirits) system. It's that time again. But, with that much money funneled to the state (and local communities), it's a hard job to convince folks we need a change. https://zurl.co/Yylxm

Getting the government out of the liquor business would lead to lower prices and more options for people and restaurants, supporters say. But they face strong political opposition.

Be forewarned - TTB just put out a statement on the use of "Ethiopian Hops" - they are NOT interchangeable with *humulus...
05/11/2026

Be forewarned - TTB just put out a statement on the use of "Ethiopian Hops" - they are NOT interchangeable with *humulus lupulus* and they're not (yet) included in the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list. So, you can't use them in beer. https://zurl.co/GaCFl

Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Good write up on the path forward for "legal" home distilling https://zurl.co/lfqxB
05/08/2026

Good write up on the path forward for "legal" home distilling https://zurl.co/lfqxB

The 158-year-old ban on home distilling may head to the Supreme Court

The Brewers Association has a nice write up of the various bills at the federal level that aim to address THC (and, as a...
05/07/2026

The Brewers Association has a nice write up of the various bills at the federal level that aim to address THC (and, as a result, THC in beverages) ahead of the impending Nov 12 federal "ban." https://zurl.co/pOwes

Federal lawmakers are advancing several competing legislative approaches that reflect different philosophies. Here's the rundown.

Tariff Relief?Yes, please!But not for you.Oh.https://zurl.co/X6s3p Brewers Association  Association
05/06/2026

Tariff Relief?
Yes, please!
But not for you.
Oh.
https://zurl.co/X6s3p
Brewers Association Association

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down IEEPA tariffs, and a refund process is now underway—but most brewers should expect limited direct relief. Here's what you need to know.

Address

127 W Hargett Street, Suite 100
Raleigh, NC
27601

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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