Alaska court strikes down speech restrictions targeting breweries and wineries
January 15, 2026
Anchorage, Alaska; January 15, 2026: An Alaska entrepreneur and several small brewery and winery owners won a major court victory yesterday after challenging a state law that barred them from offering live music and other forms of entertainment such as karaoke and DJs—restrictions that apply to breweries and wineries but not bars. The court ruled that Alaska’s regulations unlawfully restrict free speech, violating both the First Amendment and the Alaska Constitution’s free speech guarantee.
“These laws were never about public safety. They were about protecting favored businesses from competition,” said Donna Matias, an attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation. “This law singled out breweries and wineries for restrictions that bars never faced. The court correctly held that the government can’t suppress protected forms of expression in service to protectionism or political compromise.”
Plaintiff Jessie Janes, a U.S. Army veteran and full-time member of the Air National Guard, turned a home-brewing hobby into Zip Kombucha, Anchorage’s first hard kombucha brewery. He also created Boots to Brew, a program that helps servicemembers transition to civilian careers. Like many Alaska brewers and winemakers, he wanted to host music, art nights, and other community events—activities the state freely allows bars to offer but restricts for breweries and wineries.
Under Alaska law, these businesses were limited to allowing just four approved events per year, subject to fees and advance permission. The law also prohibited TV or video displays or other presentations unless they were for the purpose of promoting or educating customers about the business or its products. The Superior Court for the State of Alaska held that these protectionist restrictions were not supported by any legitimate government interest, and it struck them down.
The ruling restores equal footing for Alaska’s breweries and wineries with respect to providing certain forms of entertainment and affirms that the government cannot censor expression or suppress competition through regulation.
Pacific Legal Foundation represented the plaintiffs free of charge. The case is Zip Kombucha, et al. v. Joan Wilson, et al.
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About Pacific Legal Foundation
Pacific Legal Foundation is a national nonprofit law firm that defends Americans threatened by government overreach and abuse. Since our founding in 1973, we challenge the government when it violates individual liberty and constitutional rights. With active cases in 34 states plus Washington, D.C., PLF represents clients in state and federal courts, with 18 wins of 20 cases litigated at the U.S. Supreme Court.