American Spirit: A Story of Virginia's Liquor Laws
Documentary short from Motivo Media and FedSoc Films
Documentary short from Motivo Media and FedSoc Films
From the Whiskey Rebellion to prohibition, the 21st Amendment to a modern cocktail renaissance, America's relationship with liquor has a long and storied history. Christine and Denver Riggleman of Silverback Distillery look to write their own chapter in this epic tale, but Virginia's regulatory structure may prove too burdensome for these award-winning craft distillers.
"American Spirit" examines the history of liquor regulation nationally and on a state level, looking closely at Virginia's "control" system to explore the pros and cons of the 50-state alcohol market set up as a result of the 21st Amendment.
Is alcohol regulation simply a matter of federalism? Should the federal government play a bigger role? Do regulations curb social ills that stem from excessive drinking? Industry experts, policy analysts, and the distillers themselves weigh in on these questions and more in this new documentary short from Motivo Media and FedSoc Films.
As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speaker.
Featuring:
Director, Commercial Freedom; Senior Fellow, R Street Institute
C. Jarrett Dieterle researches and writes on regulatory affairs, alcohol policy, occupational licensing and other commercial freedom issues. He also oversees the Institute’s postal, labor and disintermediation policy programs.
Jarrett previously worked as a regulatory attorney at a Washington law firm. In that role, he advised private companies on how to navigate complex regulatory regimes and helped them challenge overreaching regulations. He also practiced appellate advocacy, co-authoring several Supreme Court amicus briefs. He previously clerked for a federal judge on the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and has worked and written for numerous policy organizations and think tanks such as the Reason Foundation, Manhattan Institute, Mackinac Center, Federalist Society, Institute for Justice, Atlantic Legal Foundation and the Washington Legal Foundation.
Jarrett earned his bachelor’s from the University of Richmond, with a major in political science and minor in economics. He received his juris doctor from Georgetown University Law Center.
Jarrett currently lives in Richmond, Virginia with his wife, Maria, and their Australian shepherd, Pepper.
CEO and Master Distiller, Silverback Distillery
Christine Riggleman is the CEO and Master Distiller of Silverback Distillery. Born and raised in Manassas, Virginia, Christine married her high school sweetheart, Denver, at the age of 19. Shortly after, Denver joined the Air Force and their journey across the United States and far-off lands began. Christine earned a scholarship from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in 2000 but due to her husband's military career, she turned down the offer. Christine’s passion for culinary delights never wavered and eventually veered into the world of extraordinary spirits. She became fascinated with distilling on a tour of Ben Nevis Distillery in Scotland in 2012, and shortly after began researching distillation and maturation processes with Denver. In 2014, after a year and a half of strenuous planning, research and construction, Silverback Distillery opened its doors. Although Silverback has only been open since August of 2014, Christine’s spirits have racked up accolades, earning 16 international awards among numerous local and statewide awards. In 2014, she was named one of the top gin distillers in the United States through MSN.com, and in 2017 became the first person inducted into the ABV Network's Bourbon Hall of Fame.
Co-Owner, Silverback Distillery
Denver is co-owner of Silverback Distillery, husband to the indomitable Christine Riggleman and father to an extraordinary trio of daughters. Between splitting his time as a Department of Defense senior consultant and advocating for small business rights in his home state of Virginia, he assists in marketing and business practices for Silverback Distillery- and a touch of distilling. Despite rumors to the contrary, Denver has never been an exotic dancer or movie star. His occupations over the last twenty years include: USAF avionics technician, commissioned USAF Intelligence Officer and co-founder and former CEO of a successful federal contracting company. Denver's other Silverback responsibilities range from authoring pithy social media posts and creating wonderful, esoteric ideas for advertising videos to being the world's preeminent "taste-tester" for all Silverback products. Denver is also an aspiring author and space traveler.
Senior Vice President, Industry Affairs and General Counsel, National Beer Wholesalers Association
Paul Pisano leads the association’s efforts in industry, legal and state governmental affairs and serves as a liaison to state distributor associations and outside groups.
Prior to joining NBWA, he served at the Department of Commerce, most recently as director of congressional affairs at the U.S. Census Bureau. He also spent six years working in senior positions on Capitol Hill.
Pisano holds a B.A. degree from Hampden-Sydney College and earned his J.D. from Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law.
Government Relations, Virginia Distillers Association
Curtis served as the Chief Operating Officer of Virginia ABC for over 20 years. Prior to that Curtis was a Lieutenant for the Virginia State Police for nearly 10 years, and worked as the Commonwealth’s Attorney in Nottoway VA. In his downtime, Curtis enjoys singing in his church choir and spending time with his family.
Senior Fellow, Competitive Enterprise Institute
Angela Logomasini is a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Logomasini specializes in environmental risk, regulation and consumer freedom.
Since joining CEI in 1998, her work has appeared in Forbes, The Huffington Post, New York Post and The Wall Street Journal, among other publications. Logomasini was also the editor of CEI's book "The Environmental Source" (2008). Logomasini has appeared on television programs on CNN, CNBC, C-SPAN, Fox Business, and dozens of radio shows, including programs on NPR, CNN Radio, and Radio America.
Prior to joining CEI, Logomasini served as legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas and was also environmental editor for the Research Institute of America.
In addition to her work with CEI, she manages SafeChemicalPolicy.org, is a senior fellow at Independent Women’s Forum, and is a wine educator and real estate investor.
She received her Ph.D. in American Government from The Catholic University of America.
