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.

Great article (reminder) from the Brewer's Association https://zurl.co/af2jc Association
06/15/2026

Great article (reminder) from the Brewer's Association https://zurl.co/af2jc Association

Using non-food grade PVC does not comply with FDA regulations, and we urge member breweries to examine their PVC piping.

Had no idea this was coming. How is it going to affect your brewery? https://zurl.co/i6b2l
06/12/2026

Had no idea this was coming. How is it going to affect your brewery? https://zurl.co/i6b2l

GS1, the organization that develops and maintains standards for barcodes, has announced a new initiative to transition from 1D UPC barcodes to 2D

Interesting read on AI from the BA https://zurl.co/XPs5u Association
06/05/2026

Interesting read on AI from the BA https://zurl.co/XPs5u Association

Beer drinkers are using AI to choose which brewery to visit and what beer to buy. The practice is changing the way in which breweries get their message out, too.

The RNDC meltdown is finally reaching NC >>National layoffs by alcohol distributor hit Charlotte, Raleigh https://zurl...
06/04/2026

The RNDC meltdown is finally reaching NC >>National layoffs by alcohol distributor hit Charlotte, Raleigh https://zurl.co/Wet3F

One of the biggest U.S. alcohol beverage distributors will close its operations in Charlotte and Raleigh, putting 39 and 14 employees out of work at each location, respectively. However, Grand Prairie, Texas-based Republic National Distributing Company says its enterprises in the two cities are expe...

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

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127 W Hargett Street, Suite 100
Raleigh, NC
27601

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

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