About the Digest
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Now Part of Barnes Beverage Group
The Digest of Wine and Spirits Law is the essential compliance reference for professionals who need to stay ahead of the ever-changing laws and regulations governing the alcoholic beverage industry. Whether you’re running a winery, distillery, importer, wholesaler, or supporting the industry as an attorney, trade association, or consultant, The Digest gives you the practical, up-to-date intelligence you need to navigate licensing, distribution, marketing, direct shipping, and more — without the guesswork.
We know this industry because we live it. As part of Barnes Beverage Group (drinkslaw.com), The Digest now benefits from the same deep regulatory knowledge, multi-state experience, and client-focused approach that has made BBG a trusted partner for beverage businesses from startups to multinationals.
Website Features That Keep You Informed
The Digest website is built for busy professionals. Log in and get immediate access to powerful tools that save time and reduce risk:
Targeted Searches: Search by state or by topic. Need distributor relationship rules across multiple states? Select “Franchise Laws,” pick your states, and generate a custom report in seconds. Planning expansion? Pull a full state overview instantly.
Recent Updates: The homepage features a live list of changes. Logged-in subscribers get one-click access to updated sections.
Compare Changes: Click the update date on any topic for a clear marked-up view showing exactly what’s new or revised.
Email Notifications: Opt in for concise email summaries of updates, delivered 2–4 times per month — so you never miss a critical change.
State Digests: The Heart of The Resource
Every state (plus the District of Columbia) has its own dedicated Digest, organized in a consistent, easy-to-follow format. States with both control and open distribution systems are split accordingly (e.g., Oregon Control and Oregon Open) for maximum relevance.Each State Digest starts with key regulatory contacts and dives into 17 core topics (with state-specific subtopics), complete with legal citations so you or your counsel can quickly reference the source materials.
Topics Covered:
1. Contact – Agency details, websites, and direct links to statutes/regulations.
2. Supplier Licenses – Requirements for businesses and sales representatives (DTC covered in Topic 14).
3. Label/Product Registration for Suppliers – Approval process and container deposit labeling rules, if applicable.
4. Pricing – Price postings and quotations, notifications, and product listings.
5. Size Restrictions – Container size regulations, if any.
6. Promotional Allowances Offered to Wholesalers or Control State Agencies – Allowable support for wholesalers or control agencies.
7. Excise Tax Rates – Current rates by product class, plus mark-up examples for control states.
8. Reporting Requirements for Suppliers – Shipment and other reports for out-of-state suppliers.
9. Credit to Licensees – Rules for extending credit compliantly.
10. Franchise Laws/Wholesaler Registration Requirements – Supplier/Wholesaler relationship rules.
11. Tied House Restrictions – Limitations on ownership across license tiers.
12. Primary Source Requirements – Mandates for purchasing alcoholic beverages from the primary source.
13. At Rest Law – Rules on goods coming to rest before further distribution.
14. Direct Shipments to Consumers and/or Retailers – Conditions for shipping to consumers and/or retailers.
15. Trade Practice Activities – Highly detailed synopsis of rules on displays, coupons, sampling, sweepstakes, donations, advertising specialties, and more (with 18 subtopics).
16. Advertising – Allowable media and methods for marketing (with 12 subtopics).
17. Miscellaneous – Important topics that do not fall in any of the other primary categories, like Sunday sales, happy hours, private labels, returns, growlers, infusions, and other key topics.
Additional resources
Direct-to-Consumer Shipping Guide – State-by-state details on licensing, protocols, taxes, reporting, and penalties.
Requirements by State Tables – Quick reference summaries for wholesale and DTC channels for out-of-state suppliers/shippers.
Control States Overview – How business works where states act as wholesalers and retailers.
Excise Tax Table – Federal and state rates for wine and spirits, among other commodities.
Federal Law & Regulations – Key excerpts from the U.S. Code and CFR.
Glossary – Industry terms and acronyms.
How the Digest is Updated
We research and verify every change before updating the online version. Every topic displays a “last update” date. Print subscribers receive updates quarterly (via mail or PDF), along with a summary letter. The online platform gives you the fastest access to verified changes.
Subscription Options
A subscription delivers full website access for one year. Manage your profile, update contacts, and add users easily. Multi-user discounts are available for teams. The optional print version (four 3-ring binders) includes quarterly physical or PDF updates.
Current pricing and options are available on the Subscribe page. For a personalized live demonstration of the site, contact the team — we’re happy to walk you through it or try our on-demand video overview.