Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Government Accountability & Oversight Committee |
HB 2327
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning the sales of growlers of wine or beer.
Sponsors: Representatives Wylie and Condotta.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/20/14
Staff: David Rubenstein (786-7153)
Background:
The Liquor Control Board (Board) issues a variety of liquor licenses, including microbrewery, restaurant, and retailer licenses. Subject to various restrictions, some licensees may sell beer or wine in a sanitary container brought to the premises by the purchaser or supplied by the licensee and filled at the tap at the time of sale. These are typically called "growlers."
Licensees that may sell growlers of beer include: (1) domestic breweries and microbreweries (may only sell beer of their own production); (2) beer and wine restaurants and taverns that hold a "combined" license; and (3) beer and wine specialty shops that hold a "combined" license. Most such licenses require that beer sold in growlers be for off-premises consumption.
Domestic wineries are permitted to sell wine of their own production at retail.
Summary of Bill:
Domestic wineries are permitted to sell wine and beer at retail. Additionally, domestic wineries may sell for consumption on or off the premises wines of their own production and beers in kegs or sanitary containers that comply with federal law "growlers," and were brought to the premises by the purchaser or provided by the winery and filled at the tap at the time of sale.
Domestic breweries may sell for consumption on or off the premises beer of their own production and wine in kegs or growlers supplied by the purchaser, brewery, or manufacturer and filled at the tap at the time of sale.
Microbreweries may sell beer for consumption on or off the premises of its own production and wine in kegs or growlers supplied by the purchaser, microbrewery, or manufacturer and filled at the tap at the time of sale.
Beer and wine retailers may sell for consumption on or off the premises beer and wine in kegs or growlers supplied by the purchaser, retailer, or manufacturer and filled at the tap at the time of sale.
Beer and wine specialty shops may sell beer and wine in growlers supplied by the purchaser, retailer, or manufacturer and filled at the tap at the time of sale.
Spirits, beer, and wine restaurants may sell beer and wine in growlers supplied by the purchaser, retailer, or manufacturer and filled at the tap at the time of sale.
Hotel licensees may sell beer and wine in growlers supplied by the purchaser, retailer, or manufacturer and filled at the tap at the time of sale.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.