Below is a list of links to resources on various legal topics affecting the craft beer industry.   

Alcohol Beverage Regulations


Federal Laws

TTB - Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau -  Beer Page
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Permits (including Brewer's Notice)

Forms

​Federal Beer Laws
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California
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ABC - California Department of Alcoholic Beverage and Control (ABC) - Main Page

California ABC License Query

California ABC Forms

California Alcoholic Beverage Control Act (2015) (.pdf)

California Business & Professions Code Sections 23000-25762 

Beer Festivals and Donations


​CA Business & Professions Code Section 23357.3

Corporate & General Business

CA Secretary of State - Business Entities Page

Distribution


Beer "Franchise" Laws, State-by-State (Brewers Association)

Self Distribution Laws, State-by-State (Brewers Association)

Employment Law

Federal

Department of Labor Summary of Major Federal Labor Laws

State

California Labor Code

2015 Paid Sick Leave Law for Oakland Businesses, by Christine Noma

2015 Paid Sick Leave Law Article by Maggie Glover

Excise Taxes

Federal

TTB Taxes Home Page

Brewers Association Page on Excise Taxes (Craft Modernization and Tax Reform Act 2015)
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States

CA Board of Equalization Alcoholic Beverage Tax Page

Financing

SEC Approves Rules For Equity Crowdfunding

Growlers


​California Craft Brewers Association (CCBA) Clarification on Growler Law

Homebrewing Laws


​American Homebrewers Association: Homebrewing Laws State-by-State

Labeling

Federal

TTB Page on Beer Labeling

TTB's The Beverage Alcohol Manual:  Basic Mandatory Labeling Information for Malt Beverages
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TTB Labeling and Formulation Approval Page
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TTB COLAs Online (login)

TTB Public COLA Registry
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Brewers Association: Beer Labeling Requirements Guidance Page

States
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CA Malt Beverage Label Filing Application, ABC 412 (.pdf) and Instructions (.pdf)

CA Business & Professions Code Sections 25200-25206

CA Code of Regulations on Beer Labeling

​California Craft Brewers Association (CCBA) Clarification on Growler Law

Marketing & Social Media

Federal

TTB Circular (2013-1) - Use of Social Media In the Advertising of Alcoholic Beverages

State

Blogpost on "Social Media" Bill AB 780 (2015) (eff. 2016) (Coming soon)

Contests and Sweepstakes - CA ABC Industry Summary (2012) (AB 778) (B&P Code 25600.1 and 25600.2)

Real Estate:  Land Use and Leases

Important Issues in Negotiating Restaurant Lease by Dan Myers

Trademarks & Copyrights

Federal

U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) - Trademarks Page

USPTO Trademark Search Page (TESS)

U.S. Copyright Office

State

CA Secretary of State:  Trademarks Page
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