Title: An act relating to ensuring that brewers may sell beer of their own production from their restaurant premises.

Brief Description: Concerning the retail sale of beer.

Sponsors: Representatives Condotta, Wood and Newhouse.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/10/06, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce, Research & Development: 2/23/06 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Kohl-Welles, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Parlette, Ranking Minority Member; Brown, Honeyford, Keiser and Prentice.

Staff: Jennifer Strus (786-7316)

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.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This bill will allow breweries/microbreweries who also have a spirits, beer and wine license to sell kegs or growlers for off-premises consumption from the retail rather than the manufacturing portion of their premises. There have been safety concerns about customers entering the manufacturing portion of the brewery to buy kegs or growlers and selling them from the retail portion would be much preferable.

Testimony Against: None

Who Testified: PRO: Michael Transue, Washington Restaurant Association.