A top barrister is due to have a legally binding agreement in place over how the pubco model should be operated by tomorrow (Tuesday).
After weeks of negotiation in the mediation process, leading QC Michael Kallipetis is charged with tying together the process to reach some form of compromise over the issues that continue to dog the industry around the pubco model.
But one source close to the process told The Publican: "Everybody knows this is all about the beer tie."
All parties involved are due to sit down today (Monday) before the process is finalised tomorrow.
Earlier this month Nick Bish, chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR), which initiated the process, told The Publican: "This is D-day. We can't afford not to come to agreement here, it's so important."
The mediation process, which kicked off in June, has seen pubcos and trade groups including Punch Taverns and the British Beer & Pub Association sitting down with anti-tie campaigners Fair Pint for the first time.
It was intiated in response to the Business and Enterprise Committee (BEC) report on pubco power which was highly critical of how the model was being operated.
The ALMR says it set up the process as a way to avoid "unnecessary" government interference.
Any formal agreement reached will be presented to Business Secretary Peter Mandelson before he is due to formally respond to the BEC report.
Meanwhile, the Office of Fair Trading is due to respond to CAMRA's super-complaint around the beer tie in about a month's time.