Relates to permits for brewers, manufacturers, and importers to serve small samples of their beer or malt beverages

1 Co-sponsor

• Timothy M. Kennedy

BILL NUMBER:S1860

Title of bill

An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to permits for brewers, manufacturers and importers of beer or malt beverages

Purpose of the bill

This bill amend § 51 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law by adding a new subdivision 9 to allow a licensed brewer to obtain a Beer Festival permit from the State Liquor Authority and allow participating brewers and their brewery personnel to dispense and serve their products to persons of legal age.

Summary of specific provisions

This bill allows a licensed brewer to obtain a permit to hold a Beer Festival and to invite brewers to offer small samples of their malt beverage products. Samples per brand shall not exceed 3 ounces per serving. The permit holder shall receive for distribution all products that shall be properly invoiced and inventoried and return any unused product to the distributor for credit. Each participating brewer or the brewer's representative shall be allowed to dispense and serve their products. The brewers participating may sell sealed containers for off-premises consumption. Food products may be available for sale and proper security must be provided at each Beer Festival to determine lawful proof of age and to remove any patron that appears intoxicated or is out of order.

Justification

The state presently licenses seventy-three craft brewing facilities this bill provides brewers an inexpensive opportunity to advertise, dispense and serve their products and to interact directly with target patrons who may not be able to sample craft beers as they are not readily available in most licensed food stores, bars or restaurants. The craft brewing industry is a growing industry in New York and has revitalized the economy and added to the workforce in many urban areas of our state. The New York State Law Revision Commission recommended in their final report that "the law should be amended to clarify that brewers participating in beer festivals can supervise the tasting of their beer and take back left over products and that licensed brewers or their employees should be allowed to dispense and serve the brewer's product at beer festivals."

Prior legislative history

2013-2014: S.434 Referred to commerce, economic development and small business.

Fiscal implications

This bill generates a modest new sum annually. The permit fee is $20 per function.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.