The Center for Alcohol Policy
The Center for Alcohol Policy supports research, outreach and educational efforts on a broad range of
issues including: regulation of alcohol; safe and responsible consumption of alcohol; underage
drinking; abusive drinking; drunk driving; and the effects of alcohol consumption.
The Center strives to ensure that a regulated system that enforces the manufacture, distribution and
sale of alcohol beverages to responsible adults is maintained. In an effort to educate the public on
such important issues, the Center was launched in 2007. The Center is funded by responsible and
concerned beer distributors and other donors from around the country who are committed to important
issues that surround the production, distribution, transportation, sale and consumption of alcohol.
2008 21st Amendment Essay Contest
2008 marks the 75th Anniversary of the passage of the 21st Amendment which repealed Prohibition
and gave the right to regulate alcohol to the state. This is a great opportunity for all Americans
to reflect on how alcohol is regulated in the United States. As such, the Center for Alcohol Policy
believes that America would be well served by an annual essay contest to reflect on the importance
of the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution. For more information about the 2008 21st
Amendment essay contest and submission guidelines,
click here.
Value Statement
In 2006, Congress passed and President George W. Bush signed legislation addressing problems associated
with underage drinking. This legislation, the Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act (STOP
Act-PL #109-422), recognizes the primary role that the states play in regulating alcohol. The Center
draws inspiration from language in the STOP Act:
Alcohol is a unique product and should be regulated differently than other products by the States and
Federal Government. States have primary authority to regulate alcohol distribution and sale, and the Federal
Government should support and supplement these State efforts.
States also have a responsibility to fight youth access to alcohol and reduce underage drinking. Continued
State regulation and licensing of the manufacture, importation, sale, distribution, transportation and
storage of alcoholic beverages are clearly in the public interest and are critical to promoting responsible
consumption, preventing illegal access to alcohol by persons under 21 years of age from commercial and
non-commercial sources, maintaining industry integrity and an orderly marketplace and furthering
effective State tax collection.
Mission Statement
The purpose of the Center is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its
uniqueness and its regulation. By conducting sound research and implementing initiatives that will
maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible
consumption of alcohol, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs the key entities and the
public about the effects of alcohol consumption.
The Advisory Council
The Advisory Council shall be comprised of distinguished leaders from areas such as education, business,
government, law enforcement, health and public policy who are committed to the regulation and safety of
alcohol. Advisory Council members should possess an understanding of and a desire to protect each state's
ability to control alcohol for legitimate public purpose. The individuals provide leadership and advise
the Center in the areas of research and education. They work to educate the media, policy makers, state
regulators, educators and the public about the regulation of alcohol, safe and responsible consumption of
alcohol, underage drinking, drunk driving and the effects of alcohol consumption.
The Center for Alcohol Policy is affiliated with the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA).
For more information, please write to
info@centerforalcoholpolicy.org.
Center for Alcohol Policy P.O. Box 908, Alexandria, VA 22314-9998 703-519-3090