Corey Day Discusses Regulatory Relief Given by States to Distilleries Hurt by Pandemic

Litigator and alcoholic beverage attorney Corey Day contributed an article to Artisan Spirit Magazine titled “The Regulatory Response to COVID-19: Lessons for Moving Forward,” published Summer 2020. Day summarizes the regulatory relief granted in many states to U.S. distilleries harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on its effects in two main areas: as a short-term source of help for distilleries and customers, and as a long-term means for parties to permanently amend the laws in their states governing distilleries.

Day identifies some of the forms of relief states have instituted:

• Thirty states and the District of Columbia are allowing curbside pickup while emergency orders remain in place or until a specific date.
• Fifteen states and the District are allowing direct delivery to consumers, whether by delivery service or distillery employees.
• Thirteen states have instituted other forms of relief such as allowing licensed distilleries to expand their licensed premises to adjacent areas or the sale of premixed, to-go cocktails.

Day concludes: “We’re excited to see how distilleries will continue to support their communities and adapt to the drastic changes that COVID-19 has caused. Hopefully, some of the changes can be made permanent to allow distilleries to thrive, both in the current situation and when we get back to business as usual.”