Flavored Malt Beverages ARE NOT BEER! Score one for the good guys.

You may remember my reporting on the “Definition of Beer” bill that I sat in on last month in the Maryland State Senate. This topic deals with the classification of “Flavored Malt Beverages” as “Beer” versus “Spirits” or other classifications. This has implications on tax law as well as who is allowed to sell these “Alcopops” (as they are also referred to.

I, as well as state attorney general Gansler, am totally against this change in the classification of FMB’s to “beer” (again read the previous post). Unfortunately, our representatives voted in favor of the wholesalers/distributors to classify these “alcopops” as “beer” (take a look at tax records to see how much money lobbyists contributed to our representatives campaigns in the last few years…it’s sickening).

But, wait, good news!: The Baltimore Sun (and our friends at Vinotrip) reported that on Wednesday, Governor Martin O’Malley came through, delaying the signing of the bill as he considers the repercussions of such legislation. Now might be a good time to contact your local legislature or send a letter to the Governor to let him know that we citizens of Maryland won’t stand for FMB’s being classified as beer.

Maryland Wholesalers vs. Consumers - Part 4.1.08

Well, it seems like the wholesalers have done it again in this great state of Maryland. The anti-shipping lobbyist Bruce Bereano reportedly held a wine-tasting of sorts for state legislatures and wholesalers last evening at his Maryland estate. It was at this tasting that Bearano and wholesalers convinced the state legislatures that in fact, allowing Marylanders to travel to wine regions or restaurants outside of the State of Maryland could possibly cause alcohol to slip into the hands of teenagers. Also, it is reported that Maryland residents may no longer leave the state to spend money on any food or wine, without making contributions to the Bereano lobbyist foundation and sending payments to the starving Maryland wholesalers. I have acquired a list of wines that were tasted, as well as Bereano’s personal tasting notes.

2004 Zima Brut: Sources say the recent classification of these Flavored Malt Beverages as “Beer” was celebrated at the onset of the evening. It is rumored that a group of teenage girls suggested the 2004 vintage over the 2005 (current release) as it’s their preferred beverage of choice. Sadly, the only attendants on hand that enjoyed the flavor and packaging of the Zima were the teenage girls who apparently noted that “all flavored malt beverages are basically made for us- our cheerleading team loves them, hee hee hee…”

2005 Fat Bastard Chardonnay: This lightly oaked chardonnay was well received by the crowd, of whom many seemed to relate to the labeling.

1940 Nero di Preddapio: This wine which is a tribute to fascist leader Benito Mussolini was apparently a huge favorite of this crowd. As they drank the wine, Bereano was said to have led a march around his home wearing full military fatigues and carrying the US Flag.

2002 Rude Boy Chardonnay: This South African Chardonnay was on hand, but the corks were never removed. It was reported that many of the lobbyists and legislatures were seen carrying the bottles around and “taking in” the label art. One was seen licking the label, but no tasting notes provided.

2002 Riverbank Estate JAILBIRD Red: A blend of Cabernet, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel, this was said to be Bereano’s favorite. Jammy and overconcentrated, apparently this wine has been Bereano’s favorite since the 2000 lawsuit which stated the following (all factual with support from this reference):

Attorney Grievance Commission v. Bereano,
2000.MD.0042013 (Md. 01/13/2000)

“Bruce C. Bereano (Bereano), a member of the bar of this Court since 1969, was convicted in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland in November 1994 on seven counts of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 1346.”

“The federal indictment alleged that, from May 1990 until June 1991, Bereano “knowingly and willfully devise[d] and intend[ed] to devise a scheme and artifice to defraud” his lobbying clients of money by false pretenses, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1341, and to deprive them of their right to his “loyal, faithful, honest, and unbiased service[s],” in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1346. *fn2″”

It’s this disloyal, lying, deceiving man who is currently the lead lobbyist for the wholesaler’s winning position against the people of Maryland and their right to a free market. All jokes aside at this point- it’s ridiculous this guy is even allowed to drive into the city of Annapolis. Hey, at least he apparently throws a great “wine” tasting.

For more great wine labels, see: www.winelabels.org
Disclaimer: In case you couldn’t tell, all information up to the discussion of the lawsuit against Bereano was fictitious. Happy April 1st!

More Maryland Liquor Law: Define “BEER!”

Advertisement: Beer For A Year Purchase beer mixes for a year and receive seasonal shipments (4 times a year) of your favorite beer mixes & Booster.

While waiting for the hearing on SB-616, Kim and I sat in on the hearings of other bills on the docket. These ranged from SB-675 which sought to outline voting districts in Carroll county to SB837 which proposed to allow for wine sales at a new retail complex in Prince George’s County. These bills weren’t very exciting, but one other bill was actually quite interesting and I think exemplifies the difficulty of licensing and lawmaking when it comes to alcoholic beverages. (Image from wikipedia)

At face value, Senate Bill 745 seems quite straightforward. Senator Colburn proposed the bill to acknowledge that by definition, Flavored Malt Beverages (FMBs) such as Jack Daniels coolers should be classified as “beer” for wholesale licensing and retail distribution purposes. Seems easy enough, right? Beer and FMBs have similar alcohol content, are sold together on store shelves, and both are carbonated, light alcoholic beverages. In the present system, FMB’s are defined as “distilled spirits” yet taxed at the rate of beer which is $0.09 per gallon. In contrast, “distilled spirits” are taxed at $1.50 per gallon. Why FMB’s aren’t currently taxed at the rate of spirits (which they are defined as) is beyond me. Regardless, this new bill would protect FMB’s by saying they are “beer” and maintain their tax rate (and licensing) at the current “beer” level.
Read more

An underdog story? MD Direct Shipping Bill: The Final Round: 03/07/2008

I’m a big fan of the Rocky movies (well, I - IV anyways!). They are the ultimate underdog story - a local Philadelphia boxer who is mediocre at best in his amateur career is given a shot at the champ. Everyone counts him out, the champ hasn’t prepared well, and in the end, he fights a great fight to the final bell and almost pulls off the greatest upset of all time.

Our fight isn’t for glory or money, it’s for market freedom and let me tell you, we Maryland consumers are the major underdogs. The wholesalers and their lobbyists have spent a lot of money and time to make sure this bill goes down. But there’s one round left and perhaps we have some fight left in us. The date and venue? The state capital building in Annapolis next Friday at 1:00 PM. It doesn’t matter what got us to this hearing, the only thing that matters now is we give it our all.

Read more