Beer Institute Pres. Joe McClain on Supreme Court Action – Wine Country Gift Baskets.com v. Steen
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2011
CONTACT: Andrew Koneschusky
(202) 777-3553
Statement by Beer Institute President Joe McClain on Supreme Court Action
WASHINGTON (March 7, 2011)– Beer Institute President Joe McClain issued the following statement today in response to the U.S. Supreme Court declining to grant certiorari in Wine Country Gift Baskets.com v. Steen.:
“The Beer Institute is pleased to hear that the United States Supreme Court today has declined to review the 2010 federal appeals court decision in Wine Country Gift Baskets.com v. Steen. The decision upholds Texas law against a challenge by non-Texan specialty wine retailers seeking to ship directly to Texas consumers.
“Again, the courts have gotten it right, upholding state alcohol laws that are found to be an appropriate exercise of authority under the 21st Amendment. The Beer Institute has worked to support and protect state alcohol regulatory authority, and the three-tier system in place in most states, over the last decade. Brewers and beer importers have filed “friend-of-the-court” briefs in key cases, assisted state wholesale associations to defend challenged laws, and participated in the successful effort to beat back an attempt to overthrow Washington’s alcohol regulatory system last fall.
“As today’s Supreme Court action makes clear, changes to federal law are unnecessary as states continue to be successful in defending the three tier system.”
# # #
The Beer Institute, established in 1986, is the national trade association for the brewing industry, representing both large and small brewers, as well as importers and industry suppliers. The Institute is committed to the development of sound public policy and to the values of civic duty and personal responsibility: www.BeerInstitute.org.
