A common reason why beer/malt beverage formula submissions are returned for correction is that the application does not clearly indicate whether the product contains malted barley and hops. Both ingredients are required for products to meet the definition of a malt beverage under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act.  

To help avoid delays, make sure your formula submission explicitly states when both “malted barley” and “hops” are used and avoid ambiguous terms such as “malt base.” 

For reference, an example formula is available on TTB’s Formulation page. You can also check out TTB’s Boot Camp for Brewers video on formulas for more information about the formula approval process and what to include in your application. If you are unsure whether your product requires formula approval, you can get a quick answer with our interactive formulas tool!

Associations and state partners: Please feel free to share the article below in your newsletters, websites, and member communications to help spread the word about the TTB Tax Simplification Pilot Program for brewers.

 

We continue to expand participation in our Tax Simplification Pilot Program for brewers. More than 500 breweries of varying sizes and filing frequencies are now taking part, and feedback on the streamlined forms has been positive. If you haven’t enrolled yet, there is still time to join and help shape the future of brewery tax and operational reporting.

 

About the Pilot Program 

TTB-regulated industries may find this notice of interest. 

 

SOURCE: Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 176 / Monday, September 14, 2026 

 

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)

 

ACTION: Notice and request for comments

 

SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), through the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC), publishes the National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE Report) each year. USTR invites comments to assist it and the TPSC in identifying significant foreign barriers to, or distortions of, U.S. exports of goods and services and U.S. foreign direct investment for inclusion in the NTE Report. USTR also will consider responses to this notice as part of the annual review of the operation and effectiveness of all U.S. trade agreements regarding telecommunications products and services that are in force with respect to the United States.

 

Dates: Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT: Deadline for submission of comments.

 

TTB-regulated industries may find these proclamations of interest. 

 

SOURCE: Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 176 / Monday, September 14, 2026 

 

Proclamation 11061 of September 8, 2026: Excluding Certain Canadian Products From Importation Into the United States in Response to Continued Discrimination Against the Commerce of the United States With Respect to Alcoholic Beverages.

 

SOURCE: Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 176 / Monday, September 14, 2026 

 

Proclamation 11064 of September 8, 2026: Modifying the Scope of Products of Canada Subject to the Additional Duties Imposed To Offset Canadian Discrimination Against the Commerce of the United States With Respect to Alcoholic Beverages.

 

• Beer Reports  

• Anatomy of a Malt Beverage Label  

• Malt Beverage Labeling  

• Beer Tax Simplification  

• Brewer’s Notice