The Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board has fined Anheuser-Busch $150,000 charging AB with exerting “undue influence” at multiple entertainment venues in the Seattle area.
The WLCB is charging that AB, working through their branch-owned distributor, entered into sponsorship contracts at the venues to achieve a monopoly position, at the exclusion of all non-AB brands.
The fact that AB now owns multiple craft brands makes this practice much more feasible since most venues seek craft brands to satisfy consumer demand.