TABC Changes What it Means to Be a Beer
Until recently, beer drinkers who took their time to read the labels on their bottles or cans may have encountered some head-scratching fine print concerning Texas.
Underneath the name of Brooklyn Brewery’s Brooklyn Lager, for instance, was the note “In Texas, malt liquor.” Even closer inspection would reveal that the word “beer” did not appear on the label.
The labeling quirks were the result of a law that required all malt beverages (read: beer) containing more than 4 percent alcohol by weight to be labeled as either “ale” or “malt liquor” to be sold in Texas. The same law ...
Comments (8)
Joshua Scott
It's good that we eliminate silly rules like this that just create landmines for small business owners. However, I don't think this is a free speech issue, given the breadth of federal standards of identity that restrict what you can call some products. For instance, to be called ice cream, a product must contain no less than 10% milkfat, no less than 20% total solids (milkfat and non-fat milk solids) no more than 100% overrun (half air) and must weigh at least 4.5 pounds per gallon (or something like that). This is why you see so many things labelled 'frozen dessert' or 'light ice cream' when it isn't really that 'light'. On balance, these restrictions do provide some product consistency on the market, but on the margins they create headaches for business owners and product innovators.
Jalapeño Schwartz via Texas Tribune on Facebook
ooo, that just takes a world of worry off my mind. I wouldn't want to be seen in public drinking "Ale"...
Matt Zeringue via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Naturally flavored water, fortified with alcohol.
Jerry Andrews
Alcohol wholesalers control alcohol in this state and the state laws are written at their whim. It is nice to see such a frivolous law as this one struck down. There are many more that also need to fall and are surely not consistent with Texas principals of competition, free market economics, etc. Example, try getting wine shipped into Texas and you will find that laws have been written and upheld in court that prevent it. I'm not talking about shipping in grocery store wine for 10 cents cheaper. Wines you absolutely can't buy in this state because the wholesalers don't carry them can't be shipped in. There are many others. Big business writes the laws in this state to benefit themselves, often to the detriment of consumers who are powerless to do anything about it.
Neil Moyer via Texas Tribune on Facebook
TACB regs are just cuckoo! And, taking more than 6 mos. to implement the Judge's decision is dilatory. Time for TACB to undergo "Sunset Review", with massive reformation needed. They are just bad wort!
namoyer
Ice cream specs, and other food specs come from the FDA. And, they've been around forever. Create some new food, call it something new, too.
Steve Washburn
Funny thing.... after reading Mr. Ferguson's article
We still have no clue what "What it Means to Be a Beer"...
Its as clear as...well "porter"
John,... you could have "shinered" a little "amber" light on the subject...;-)
Gary Joslin via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The change was due to the beer corporations' First Amendments having been violated. This is outrageous since Corporations are not people!