Monarch Beverage Co. v. Cook

Dist. Ct. did not err in granting motion for summary judgment filed by defendants-members of Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission in plaintiff-wholesale beer and wine distributor’s action alleging that Indiana statute’s prohibition on beer wholesaler from also becoming liquor wholesaler violated plaintiff’s equal protection rights. While plaintiff need not show existence of comparator that received more favorable treatment in order to establish instant equal protection claim, plaintiff's claim was still without merit, since Indiana’s policy of separating beer and liquor wholesalers satisfied rational basis test, since policy fostered legitimate state interest in discouraging alcohol consumption by making alcohol distribution more expensive. Ct. rejected under Tuan, 533 U.S. 53, plaintiff’s contention that instant policy failed rational basis test, even though plaintiff argued that there might have been more direct and effective way for Indiana to increase liquor prices through taxation.