Cincinnati; July 17, 2024: Pennsylvania’s beer regulations are under scrutiny as Urban Artifact, a Cincinnati-based brewery, has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the laws that it claims unfairly disadvantage out-of-state breweries. The lawsuit argues these regulations infringe upon the brewery's right to sell directly to Pennsylvania customers.
“Pennsylvania’s antiquated beer regulations kneecap out-of-state breweries to protect in-state breweries from competition,” said Jeff Jennings, an attorney at Pacific Legal Foundation. “Subjecting small businesses like Urban Artifact to additional, burdensome regulation simply because of their geographic location is discriminatory and does nothing to advance public health, safety, or welfare.”
Urban Artifact is known as the “largest dedicated fruit brewery in the world” and has created over 100 different beers using more than one million pounds of fruit annually. However, restrictions in Pennsylvania make direct-to-consumer sales cost-prohibitive for out-of-state businesses.
The case, titled Urban Artifact v. Col. Christopher Paris, was filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Urban Artifact is represented by Pacific Legal Foundation at no charge.
Pacific Legal Foundation is a national nonprofit law firm that defends Americans against government overreach and abuse. Founded in 1973, PLF challenges government actions that violate individual liberty and constitutional rights. The foundation has active cases in 34 states plus Washington D.C., with 18 wins out of 20 cases litigated at the U.S. Supreme Court.
