Indianapolis Star Weighs in on Mandatory Carding

Some people get this issue, but many don't. The mandatory carding law, which is still the subject of much debate, is actually working. Here's the link to The Star's Wednesday editorial on the subject.

Weigh in on the Project RAD Poll

Should lawmakers leave the mandatory carding law alone now that the state has strong evidence that it's working?

Take our poll on the Project RAD website and weigh in. 

Here's the breakdown on our last poll question.

Should members of local alcoholic beverage boards be required to file ethics disclosure forms?

Yes - 87 percent

No - 13 percent

Whole Foods Pushing Wine Bars and Craft Beer Sampling

The upscale grocer, as well known for its sensory-filled shopping as its often-pricey foods, is opening bars that serve craft beer and local wine in more than a dozen stores nationally as a test before a wider roll-out.

In the past 18 months, small, locally focused bars have opened inside five Whole Foods Markets in California, and two each in Arizona, Illinois and Texas, among others. Earlier this month, it opened one inside its chi-chi flagship store in Austin.

By 2012, the 305-store chain plans to open at least seven more bars - even one in Hawaii, says co-CEO Walter Robb.

For the full story, click here.

Revelers out of Hand (Again) at Austin's Popular SXSW

The city of Austin is working with South by Southwest (SXSW) organizers to limit the number of free events next year due to problems involving alcohol and overcrowding. While alcohol and overcrowding have always been problems SXSW organizers have had to grapple with, police report the incidents have reached "critical mass." The city of Austin is working with the organizers to limit the number of permits given out next year under Austin's Free Music Ordinance. Other measures may follow. Stepped up police security could also help aid bus running times and ease congestion downtown as the number of SXSW participants swells each year. As many as 200,000 attend the pop culture-tech-music event.

For the full story, click here.

Indiana Microbreweries Want State Production Cap Lifted

Indiana has 34 breweries, which last year made nearly 50,000 barrels of craft beers, but the vast majority are produced by three microbreweries, each of which is quickly approaching a state-imposed production cap.

A brewery that makes more than 20,000 barrels of beer a year exceeds limits of a 1993 state law that gives small breweries lower taxes and other benefits. The breweries want to raise the limit to 60,000 barrels.

If the microbreweries exceed the current limit, their state taxes would nearly double.

For the full article, click here.

Tennessee Lawmakers: Four Years Debating Wine in Groceries

Tennessee lawmakers have opened debate on a bill that would allow the sale of wine in grocery stores. Under current law, only beer can be sold in supermarkets. A Senate committee heard testimony for more than an hour Tuesday on a measure that would break down one of the state's fundamental restrictions on alcohol sales. Much of the debate centered on the competitive balance between supermarkets and liquor stores, and the sponsor of the bill said later that he plans to suggest a two-year waiting period before the measure goes into effect. Lawmakers have debated whether to let grocery stores sell wine for the past four years, but the matter has died in committee each year.

First Brewery Lands in Former Catholic Church

Many people are stunned when they first walk into the Church Brew Works, the only known brewery in the United States operating in a former Catholic church. Mouths agape, they stand inside and stare at the stained-glass windows, gigantic pillars rising up to high arches, hand-painted cypress ceiling and gleaming copper brewhouse where the altar once stood. It's certainly not the usual setting for a brewery and restaurant.

For the full story, click here.

Where People Get Their News

Did you know... 

• Nearly half of all Americans, or 47 percent, now get some form of local news on a mobile device.
• 11 percent have downloaded a news app but only 1 percent of those have paid for an app to receive news.
• 23 percent said they would pay a $5 monthly subscription fee for news but only if their local newspaper went out of business.
• 7 percent of Americans now have a tablet, a number that has doubled in the last six months.

Source:  "State of the News Media 2011"