Media Mention
Bloomberg Interviews Pinson on Government Shutdown’s Delay of Seasonal Spirits & Beer
Published: Oct 20, 2025
The U.S. Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau issues permits to open new wineries and breweries. The agency also handles more than 200,000 applications annually for approval of alcoholic beverage formulas and labels. But the government shutdown has halted approvals that alcoholic beverage makers must obtain before introducing a new product or making changes to their recipes or labels.
That logjam may cause delays to seasonal craft beers and spirits that were scheduled to hit the market this upcoming holiday season. Pinson said the agency’s work stoppage threatens to delay some seasonal ales and lagers breweries planned for the Christmas holidays and winter since the manufacturers hadn’t submitted new recipes or labels before the shutdown.
“It’s huge,” said Pinson, who provides counsel to Tennessee distillers as well as other wineries and breweries as a partner with Adams & Reese in the firm’s Nashville office. “If you can’t get the product out into the market, you can’t make money.”
At Adams & Reese, Pinson represents both local and national clients with their licensing and regulatory needs. Working extensively with distilleries, breweries and wineries on licensing matters, he helps his clients navigate through the complex approvals for manufacturing, self-distribution and other compliance issues at all levels. He provides counsel to alcoholic beverage manufacturers and retailers in transactional matters in which licensing issues play a critical role.
