Maine Alcoholic Beverage Lawyer

The proven Maine alcoholic beverage lawyers at Bennett Law Firm, P.A. are experienced in the effective resolution of claims related to the regulated sale and enforcement of alcoholic beverages in Maine. Maine beverage distribution lawyers are knowledgeable in all areas of general alcoholic beverages law, including but not limited to dram shop liability cases and liquor licensing claims in Maine. Clients will have the confidence of knowing that the case is being handled by an experienced and knowledgeable Maine brewery lawyer.

Contact a Maine Distillery Lawyer with
Experience Representing Many Types of Alcohol Claims:

• Alcohol Licensing
• Alcohol Regulation
• Alcohol Violations
• Alcoholic Beverage Control
• Beer and Wine Licensing and Regulation
• Compliance
• Distribution
• Dram Shop Liability
• Licensing and License Transactions
• Liquor Liability
• Liquor Licensing and Regulation
• Local Liquor Options
• Marketing
• Trade Practices

Experienced Portland ME Alcoholic Beverage Attorney

Maine alcoholic beverage law defines an alcoholic beverage as any consumable drink containing ethyl alcohol. As classified by the Beverage Act, alcoholic beverages are grouped into four main categories, including alcohol, beer, wine, and spirits. The laws associated with alcoholic beverages vary by state.

The regulation of alcohol in Maine is generally focused on “intoxicating beverages” with the exact definition of “intoxicating” varying from statute to statute. Many states are lowering the level of legal intoxication from .10 BAC to .08 BAC. In many jurisdictions, it has been held that the list of liquors subject to regulatory or prohibitive enactments, particularly when such a list is followed by an expression akin to “or other intoxicating liquors” must be intoxicating in fact. Many statutes either refer to “intoxicating liquors” generally or prescribe an alcoholic percentage cut-off.

Alcohol sales and consumption is regulated under the “police powers” of the states, but may also be regulated by federal law when such laws do not infringe on the police powers of the states. This means that the Federal government lacks the power to regulate liquor sales by one citizen to another within the territorial limits of a given state or to regulate liquor-related business within any state. However, the importation and interstate transportation of intoxicating liquors can be regulated by the Federal government under the Commerce Clause. The federal government also has the power to regulate liquor sales in D.C., and where it has exclusive authority such as on government-owned military reservations, and with Indian tribes. In all other situations, the state’s police power controls alcoholic beverage law. The federal government has, however, used financial incentives built into its funding of highways to establish a national minimum drinking age.

Trusted Maine Liquor Lawyer

A local Maine liquor lawyer should be consulted for specific requirements in your area. A Maine alcohol lawyer is professional and knowledgeable in understanding the details, facts, complications, and circumstances that arise in a liquor liability case. For experienced representation in an alcoholic beverage matter, contact a Maine microbrewery lawyer at Bennett Law Firm, P.A. in Maine.