What the Government Shutdown Means to a Beer Lover

As the government shutdown drags on and on, and the Republicans and the Democrats play the "You Go First" "No! YOU go first" game, the effect on the brewing industry is setting in. The government does not consider new beer releases to be essential.

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, or TTB, is closed and cannot process new label applications. While this doesn't apply to year round beers, it could delay those seasonal releases that everyone loves.

For example, rumor has it that Pedernales Brewing Company will have a spiced porter available for winter consumption, but only if they already have label approval.  If they don't have label approval, the beer will likely be delayed. But they could still sell and produce their regular line of beers: Lobo, Lobo Negro, Classic IPA and Classic Hefeweizen.

Larger breweries, like Lagunitas and New Belgium, are already feeling the pinch, eliminating some seasonal beers from production.