Jean Cronin, Executive Director, CT Package Stores Association
By Jean Cronin, Executive Director, CT Package Stores Association
Here we are in the tenth month of 2026. The month that starts to ramp up on the busy season in anticipation of the sales for the two months after this one concludes. Often times the month of October is highlighted by Halloween at the end of the month and often is forgotten.
The average consumer is already seeing holiday and Christmas decorations in stores before the month of September even concludes. So, in keeping with the “mystery” theme that people think of when we flip the page to October, there have been two mysterious disappearances of beer trucks that still have not been solved.
In California, a beer truck and 50,000 cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon and Old Milwaukee nonalcoholic disappeared. The truck left the Montclair distribution center destined for deliveries in San Diego. The truck and the beer never made any of their stops and have been missing since they left the distribution center. The company has stated that they will pay the cash equivalent of the missing beer if the truck is found. The delivery driver that came into the center was actually an imposter. Claiming he was the driver, when in fact he was not. The Montclair Police Department is also investigating a similar theft from an Anheuser-Busch distribution center that happened on the very same day. The loss of beer is worth tens of thousands of dollars. Pabst Blue Ribbon is trying to make light of the loss through social media posts making fun of the theft, while asking the public for any assistance.
In England, thieves stole 800 barrels of Guinness from a distribution center after stealing two tractor trailers, posing as drivers. The incident occurred on Aug. 31, where two individuals stole the two trailers. The two trailers were then driven in two different directions from the facility once they cleared the gate. Police have since located one of the two trailers about 30 miles away from where they were stolen. Similar to the theft that occurred in California, the thieves have not been located and none of the product has been found and returned. The total worth of the Guiness is roughly $227,000 worth of stout. Experts in England have noted that this is most likely not a random act of theft.
In recent months, there has been a string of thefts across the country for high demand products such as beer, bourbon, and candy. Authorities believe this is organized crime, as the thefts of these products occur before a demand in the product will occur. An example of this in the past, centers around large soccer matches, which often result in large volumes of alcohol consumed. Often, these thefts have occurred around the matches where alcohol consumption is presumed to be increased.
While both of these thefts occurred thousands of miles apart, it is an odd occurrence. The real concern is how often will this be happening, as it seems to be more of a consistent issue than it is currently in the United States. Hopefully, the mysterious beer thefts can be solved. If not, that could be a spooky reality for us all.
In keeping with the Halloween theme and tricks-or-treats, it appears that we may have gotten some sweet news on the federal front regarding the THC seltzer sale. In September, a continuing resolution was passed by the Senate and House that had a provision in the bill that extends the deadline for Federal Hemp Regulations. This delay would extend the restrictions from being put in place on Nov. 12 to Dec. 11.
This extension has been put in place to hopefully allow Congress to come up with a solution or guidelines on hemp derived products and how they can be reclassed. There has been a bipartisan movement to find a solution and to continue to allow the sale of THC seltzers. As many states have implemented regulations on them, including Connecticut, CPSA will be following this issue and sending information to members as soon as a solution is hopefully negotiated.
Find out more about any of these issues and the benefits of membership at ctpsa.com.
Jean Cronin is the President of Hughes & Cronin Public Affairs Strategies, where she is responsible for developing and implementing legislative initiatives for the firm’s clients, and directing a variety of trade and professional associations managed by the firm. Cronin joined the firm in 1986 after serving as a communications strategist for the Connecticut Senate Majority Office, where she became well-versed in the politics and insight of the State Capitol. She is the Executive Director of the Connecticut Package Stores Association, following the passing of longtime director, Carroll J. Hughes.
