Current Situation

Congress has passed legislation to reopen the federal government. This includes a continuing resolution (CR) that funds the government through January 30, 2026, and three full-year appropriations bills, including the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill.

Two agencies critical to brewery operations, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and the Small Business Administration (SBA), are returning to full functionality, clearing the way for approvals and financing that have been on hold since the shutdown began.

Implications for Brewers

The reopening of the federal government means that the TTB is once again fully staffed and processing applications. Key TTB functions resuming include Certificates of Label Approvals (COLAs), formula approvals, issuance of brewer’s notices, and other permitting functions.

In addition to the TTB’s reopening, the SBA will resume processing new and pending loan applications. During the shutdown, no new SBA loans were approved, and existing applications were left unprocessed, causing financing bottlenecks for breweries planning expansions, equipment purchases, or facility upgrades. With government funding restored, brewers can once again access critical SBA programs, including section 7(a) and 504 Loan Programs for capital investment and expansion, microloans for smaller financing needs, and Disaster Assistance Loans for breweries affected by weather or other operational disruptions.

The USDA’s full-year appropriation includes several adjustments to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) funding: a $500,000 increase for the Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative, a $250,000 increase for the Barley Pest Initiative, and a $1 million increase for the Resilient Barley Initiative. These programs support research on disease resistance, pest control, and climate resilience in barley production, factors essential to maintaining a stable, high-quality supply of malting barley used by brewers nationwide.

Stay Engaged

Shutdowns and other federal legislative developments directly affect breweries and the industry at large. To ensure your perspective is represented, consider attending the 2026 Hill Climb in Washington, D.C., this coming February 24 & 25. Participation provides an opportunity to engage with lawmakers on the issues most critical to your business and to the future of independent brewing.