[logo] Center for Alcohol Policy

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 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2008 marks the 75th Anniversary of the passage of the 21st Amendment which repealed Prohibition and gave the right to regulate alcohol to the state.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