SB 22

This bill allows certain alcohol beverage retailers to sell intoxicating liquor by

the glass for consumption away from the licensed premises if the retailer seals the

container of intoxicating liquor with a tamper-evident seal before the intoxicating

liquor is removed from the premises.

Under current law, with limited exceptions, no person may sell alcohol

beverages to a consumer unless the seller possesses a license or permit authorizing

the sale. Except when issued to a winery, a “Class B" license authorizes the retail

sale of intoxicating liquor, which includes wine and distilled spirits, by the glass for

consumption on the licensed premises. A “Class B” license also authorizes the retail

sale of wine, and of distilled spirits in municipalities that so authorize by ordinance,

in original packages or containers for consumption off the licensed premises. “Class

B” licenses are most commonly issued to taverns and restaurants. A “Class B” license

issued to a winery authorizes only the sale of wine, not distilled spirits, by the glass

for consumption on the licensed premises or in original packages or containers for

consumption off the licensed premises.

This bill allows a “Class B” licensed retailer to sell intoxicating liquor by the

glass for consumption off the licensed premises if the licensee seals the container of

intoxicating liquor with a tamper-evident seal before the intoxicating liquor is

removed from the premises. The bill thus allows the retailer to sell, for example,

mixed-drinks and glasses of wine to-go in sealed containers. The bill provides the

same authority to a winery holding a “Class B” license, but only for wine.