Three Tiers of Frustration with Adam Thierer

Shift Drink

There are few things more confusing than the three-tier system controlling alcohol distribution in the United States. It’s a topic that is complex even for policy savvy bar owners and restaurateurs — and even more so for the average consumer that just wants to find a bottle of their favorite bourbon (or rum!).

So, today I’ve brought in Adam Thierer, Senior Research Fellow from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. He recently wrote an op-ed piece entitled “The Intoxicating Appeal of Home Liquor Delivery” in which he discusses how COVID-19 shutdowns have exposed the problems in the system and how some restrictions were temporarily eased in order to spur sales in the beverage industry. Today we’re discussing why the system was set up, how it impedes a free market and competition, and what is being done to address new demands as our shopping habits change.

You can find Adam’s further writings regarding permissionless innovation, disruptive entrepreneurship, and free markets at Mercatus.org