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Electronic Payment Mandate

May 8, 2026

Can Ethiopian Hops be Used in Alcohol Beverages? 

Rhamnus prinoides (“Ethiopian hops” or “Gesho”) are not the same hops traditionally used in alcohol beverages that are addressed in the laws and regulations administered by TTB and cannot be used interchangeably with traditional hops. The scientific name of the hop plant traditionally used in alcohol beverages is Humulus lupulus. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated the safety of “Ethiopian hops” for use in alcohol beverages, has not issued a regulation authorizing the use of Ethiopian hops in alcohol beverages, and is not aware of a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) conclusion for the use of Ethiopian hops in alcohol beverages. Consequently, we will not approve an application for formula approval for an alcohol beverage containing Ethiopian hops.

Visit Us at the 2026 Trade Day Outreach Event!

If you plan to attend the 2026 U.S. Customs and Border Protection Trade Day on May 14 in Miami, Florida, come see us at the TTB table. We'll be available throughout the day to answer your questions and provide on-the-spot assistance. We look forward to meeting you and answering your questions!

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Notices

TTB-regulated industries may find these notices of interest.

SOURCE: Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 87 / Wednesday, May 6, 2026

AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Department of Justice.

ACTION: Final rule

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (‘‘ATF’’) published the following final rules:

• Conforming Change for Approving a Making Application
• Export Control Reform – Conforming References to Department of Commerce
• Licensee “eZ Check” Verification for Transfers
• Removing Triplicate Filing Requirement for Importing Plastic Explosives
• Revising Machine Gun Definition in Response to Supreme Court Decision

SOURCE: Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 87 / Wednesday, May 6, 2026

AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Department of Justice.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (‘‘ATF’’) published the following notices of proposed rulemaking:

• Adding Component Definitions Under the Arms Export Control Act
• Allowing Makers to Adopt Certain Markings for National Firearms Act Firearms
• Clarifying Delivery to a Common or Contract Carrier When Transporting Firearms
• Clarifying Exceptions to the Brady Act Background Check Requirement
• Clarifying Interstate Transportation of Firearms under the Gun Control Act
• Clarifying Special (Occupational) Tax Payments per Business Activity
• Definition of Business Premises
• Firearm Records Retention Periods
• Firearms Transactions and Straw Purchases
• Importing Training Rounds
• Revising Regulations Defining “Engaged in the Business” as a Dealer in Firearms
• Removing Chief Law Enforcement Officer Notification under the National Firearms Act
• Removing Factoring Criteria for Firearms With Attached “Stabilizing Braces”
• Selecting Biological Sex on ATF Forms
• Transferring Machine Guns Between Qualified Licensees
• Update to Proscribed Countries for Import Restrictions

What's Trending on TTB.gov: Beer

• Beer Tax Simplification
• Malt Beverage Labeling
• Brewer’s Notice
• Beer Reports
• Malt Beverage Labeling: Class and Type Designation

Upcoming TTB Outreach Activities

• May 14: CBP 2026 Trade Day
• June 15-17: NCSLA Annual Conference

For More TTB News

TTB.gov

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