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Anheuser-Busch Accuses MillerCoors of Stealing Confidential Beer Recipes

Anheuser-Busch Accuses MillerCoors of Stealing Confidential Beer Recipes

The legal battle between the two largest beer makers in the U.S. escalated today, as Anheuser-Busch today accused MillerCoors of breaking state and federal laws by stealing trade secrets regarding beer recipes for its two top-selling brands, Bud Light and Michelob Ultra. In the heavily redacted 66-page amended complaint and counterclaim filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, A-B alleges that two of its former employees who now work for MillerCoors and its parent company Molson Coors either shared confidential trade secrets with their current employers or sought information from current employees about the making of A-B products.

Lawsuit: Seattle Cider Company Founder Accused of Inflating Sales Numbers to Increase Payout

Lawsuit: Seattle Cider Company Founder Accused of Inflating Sales Numbers to Increase Payout

Three years after acquiring Seattle Cider Company and Two Beers Brewing Company, French agri-business cooperative Agrial Group is suing the beer and cider maker’s founder, Joel VandenBrink, for breach of contract and fiduciary duties for allegedly falsifying sales to increase a payout by $6.8 million. The Seattle Times first reported the story on Friday.

Last Call: Hops & Vines Sells to Ambiente Wine Parent Company

Last Call: Hops & Vines Sells to Ambiente Wine Parent Company

In this week’s Last Call: Hops & Vines Sells to Ambiente Wine Parent Company; Braxton’s VIVE Named Hard Seltzer of NFL’s Bengals; North Carolina Governor Signs Law to Allow Pets in Breweries; Anheuser-Busch Announces Post Malone Bud Light Cans and ‘Busch Latte’ Packaging

Last Call: Pyramid Owner Settles Lawsuit with Alehouse Staff; Manhattan Beer Distributors, Delivery Drivers Battle Over Alleged ‘Wage Theft’

Last Call: Pyramid Owner Settles Lawsuit with Alehouse Staff; Manhattan Beer Distributors, Delivery Drivers Battle Over Alleged ‘Wage Theft’

In this week’s edition of Last Call: Pyramid owner FIFCO USA settles a lawsuit with its Alehouse staff; Manhattan Beer Distributors and its delivery drivers battle over alleged ‘wage theft;’ Left Hand enters the CBD-infused, non-alcoholic drink market; New Delhi bans A-B InBev for three years; and more news bites.

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Overturns Total Wine Pricing Victory

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Overturns Total Wine Pricing Victory

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court last week overturned a lower court ruling that would have allowed retailers to offer discounts on alcoholic beverages purchased in bulk. The order comes two years after Maryland’s Total Wine & More (doing business as Massachusetts Fine Wines & Spirits LLC) successfully challenged the law.

US Supreme Court Strikes Down Tennessee Residency Requirement

US Supreme Court Strikes Down Tennessee Residency Requirement

Six months after hearing oral arguments in a constitutional challenge to Tennessee’s two-year residency requirement for obtaining a retail liquor license, the United States Supreme Court yesterday struck down a controversial stipulation that had prevented out of state retailers from setting up shop in the Volunteer State.

Last Call: Tax Cuts for Brewers Passes House Committee; May US Beer Shipments Decline

Last Call: Tax Cuts for Brewers Passes House Committee; May US Beer Shipments Decline

In this week’s Last Call: The House Ways and Means Committee passed a one-year extension of the federal excise tax relief for alcohol producers and importers. Also, U.S. beer shipments declined in May, Deschutes begins selling canned drinking water, Bell’s Two Hearted tops the AHA’s best list, and more news briefs.

Texas Supreme Court Turns Down Craft Brewers’ Constitutional Challenge on Distribution Rights Forfeiture

Texas Supreme Court Turns Down Craft Brewers’ Constitutional Challenge on Distribution Rights Forfeiture

The Texas Supreme Court today declined to hear a constitutional challenge brought by three craft breweries to a 2013 state law that stripped beer companies of the ability to sell their distribution rights to wholesalers. The Institute for Justice, a law firm representing the three craft breweries, called the Supreme Court’s refusal to review the case today “a blow to the economic liberty of all Texans.”

Last Call: President Trump to Impose New Tariffs on Mexico; North Coast Co-Founder Retires

Last Call: President Trump to Impose New Tariffs on Mexico; North Coast Co-Founder Retires

In this week’s edition of Last Call: Nearly two weeks after lifting aluminum and steel tariffs imposed against Mexico and Canada, President Donald Trump has reversed course and announced plans to levy a 5 percent duty on all goods from Mexico over immigration — bringing the issue back into the taproom. Plus, North Coast co-founder Mark Ruedrich announces his retirement.