Brief Description: Concerning the retail sale of beer.

Sponsors: Representatives Condotta, Wood and Newhouse.

Hearing Date: 1/30/06

Staff: Jill Reinmuth (786-7134).

Background:

Domestic breweries and microbreweries ("breweries") are permitted to act as retailers for beer of their own production. Breweries are not prohibited from being licensed as a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant for the purpose of selling liquor for on-premises consumption at a restaurant on property on which the brewery's primary manufacturing facility is located or on contiguous property. Breweries acting as retailers must comply with laws and rules applicable to retailers. For example, spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensees may not sell alcohol for off-premises consumption. Consequently, breweries acting as spirits, beer, and wine licensees may not sell beer of their own production from taps for off-premises consumption.

Summary of Bill:

Domestic breweries and microbreweries that hold spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licenses may sell beer of their own production for off-premises consumption from their restaurants. Beer may be sold in kegs or in other sanitary containers, such as growlers, that are filled at taps at the time of sale.

Rulemaking Authority: The bill does not contain provisions addressing the rule-making powers of an agency.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 26, 2006.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.