California craft liquor delivery is about to go away thanks to big money lobbying

California’s ability to have alcohol delivered directly to consumers by craft distillers is set to end, due to significant lobbying efforts from powerful interests. For the past six years, homeowners in the state have been able to enjoy craft cocktails made possible by this delivery service. However, it looks like this arrangement will not be renewed, as the legislation that would have made it permanent failed to pass.

The primary opposition comes from the wine industry, the Teamsters union, as well as large alcohol wholesalers and distributors. These influential groups have been actively lobbying the Legislature behind closed doors, with the intention of blocking the extension of pandemic-era rules that allowed craft distillers to ship spirits to their customers.

The extension, which currently expires at the end of the year, was a result of temporary laws passed in the years following the pandemic lockdowns. Gov. Gavin Newsom initially issued an executive order allowing craft distillers, defined as those producing up to 150,000 gallons a year, to continue shipping their spirits. Despite efforts by Assemblymember Josh Hoover, who unsuccessfully tried to amend his bills to allow small distillers to continue this practice, the opposition has been potent.

They have spent more than $1 million on lobbying the Legislature and state government, as well as donating at least 11 times the amount to California politicians and their campaigns over the years. The craft distillers, who have invested far less in state politics, claim that the opposition's spending, particularly from corporate liquor distributors, has ultimately been successful in torpedoing their efforts.