News

Cooper signs bill putting distillers closer to par with wineries, breweries

Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, has signed House Bill 890, omnibus legislation to make changes to laws governing the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission. The bill, in large part, aims to level the playing field for distillers, making rules more consistent with those governing breweries and wineries. H.B. 890 was one of nine bills Cooper signed...

John Trump
News

N.C. brewers, Carolina Journal seek clarification from governor over Phase Two plans

The N.C. Craft Brewers Guild is among those, including Carolina Journal, seeking clarification from Gov. Roy Cooper about the fate of breweries, wineries, and distilleries. Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order Wednesday, May 20, allowing a partial reopening of some businesses under what he termed a “Safer at Home Phase Two” to combat the...

John Trump
Opinion

People want to buy liquor, so N.C. should make it as easy as possible

Virginia, also — like North Carolina — an alcohol control state, is allowing distillers to deliver to people’s homes. It’s a big step, and it would be great if North Carolina found a way to implement a similar service, for myriad reasons, which I’ll get to. The state deems N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control stores essential...

John Trump
Opinion

Ignorance of complex N.C. ABC rules doesn’t give state a pass

I made a presentation recently to a community GOP club, a group of kind people who were smart, engaged, and curious. Much like many of the other groups I speak to and with. Most recently, I spoke about the N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission and how it keeps a stranglehold on the production, sale, distribution,...

John Trump
Opinion

For North Carolina brewers, distillers, and vintners, it’s all about the craft

The ongoing effort to loosen rules and regulations on North Carolina distillers, brewers and winemakers isn’t about alcohol. It’s not about drinking, nor the promotion of it. Alcohol has poisoned bodies and relationships. It has decimated families and left lasting scars. I have some of my own. Someone asked me, considering my writing on the...

John Trump

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