Tag Archives: WSLCB

NALCP Conference: Growler/Crowler Session Was a Hit!

NALCP Conference: Growler/Crowler Session Was a Hit!

Our session on growlers and crowlers was a big hit in New Orleans.  Speaking to nearly a full room, our speakers hit it out of the park.  Attendees were engaged, asking questions, and busily taking notes.

Thank you so much!

Attendees learned about the difference between growlers and crowlers, the regulatory issues presented by selling them, the scope and nature of the license privileges related to growlers and crowlers, the varied regulatory landscape across jurisdictions, the public safety issues presented by growlers, and best practices in setting up a growler/crowler business.

Another big thank you to Jeremy and Meg and Oskar Blues for bringing a crowler machine to the conference and demoing it with hundreds of cans with the NALCP logo at the trade show.

Oregon and Washington continue to be pioneers in the growler and crowler arena.  This success has been driven in part by the OLCC and WSLCB, thoughtful laws and rules, engaged industry groups and members, and the innovative alcohol beverage businesses in the Pacific Northwest.

Looking forward to next year’s conference in San Diego!

NALCP Conference in New Orleans: Great First Day

NALCP Conference in New Orleans: Great First Day

We just wrapped up the first day of the educational programing for the National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals (“NALCP”) Conference in New Orleans!  Who dat?

The first day’s agenda was packed with interesting content.  Most notably for the Pacific Northwest, Rick Garza–the director of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board–discussed trade practice issues that have recently come to light in Washington.  He described the Board’s renewed focus on trade practice issues in Washington resulting from both recent occurrences in Washington and trends nationwide.

In short, licensees at all three tiers in Washington should consider themselves on notice that the Board will be investigating how they interact in marketing and promoting their alcohol beverage products.  For example, Washington retailers should be wary of receiving money or money’s worth from suppliers or distributors unless clearly covered by a statutory exception, or letting suppliers or distributors take a material role in determining the marketing or arranging of alcohol inventory at their location.  These are just two examples of potential trade practice related issues.

After focusing on the role out of cannabis in Washington for the last several years, Washington licensees should be prepared for a renewed focus by the Board on alcohol regulatory compliance issues.

Now, the conference turns toward its social agenda for the evening.  Northwest Alcohol Law is the proud sponsor of Colin Lake–the musical entertainer for tonight’s meet and greet.  We’re then heading to John Besh‘s Borgne for dinner followed by a night cap at Legacy Kitchen.  Let me know if anyone has a suggestion for late night entertainment in NOLA.

 

 

 

Washington Distilleries Will Likely Be Able to Offer Samples This Summer!

Washington Distilleries Will Likely Be Able to Offer Samples This Summer!

Senate Bill 6226 went to the governor for signature on March 12th.  The governor has not yet taken any action on the bill.  If no action is taken, it is considered approved and moves forward.  The governor has until April 5th to take action.  Given the large amount of support for this bill on both sides of the aisle, it is not anticipated that it will be vetoed.  Assuming no veto, the bill would become law on June 12th.

The key elements of the bill are as follows:

  • Increases the annual spirits production limit for craft distillers from 60,000 gallons to 150,000 gallons.
  • Eliminates the three liter per day per person limit on the sale of spirits by a craft distiller for off-premises consumption.
  • Authorizes a craft distillery to charge customers a fee for spirits samples of 1/2 ounce or less served to them on premises, but does not require such a charge.
  • Authorizes any licensed distillery to:
    • sell spirits of its own production for consumption off the premises;
    • contract with, and sell spirits to other licensed distillers and manufacturers; and
    • provide for free, or for a charge, spirits samples of 1/2 ounce or less to customers on the premises, subject to a daily maximum of two ounces per person per day.
      • Samples will likely be restricted to unaltered samples by rule–no mixed samples.
      • Samples must be provided by someone with a current, valid MAST permit.
  • Authorizes special occasion licensees to pay for spirits immediately following a special occasion event.
  • Authorizes a special occasion licensee to charge reasonable booth fees to a distillery participating in the event.

You can monitor the progress of the bill here.

Washington Distillers May Have Reason to Celebrate this Legislative Session.

Washington distillers may have reason to celebrate this legislative session. House Bill 2364 and its companion Senate Bill 6226 are making their way through the legislative process with much support and little opposition.  To follow the bill, click here.

The bills would achieve the following:

  • Increases the annual spirits production limit for craft distillers from 60,000 gallons to 150,000 gallons.
  • Eliminates the three liter per day per person limit on the sale of spirits by a craft distiller for off-premises consumption.
  • Authorizes a craft distillery to charge customers a fee for spirits samples of 1/2 ounce or less served to them on premises.
  • Authorizes any licensed distillery to: sell spirits of its own production for consumption off the premises; contract with, and sell spirits to other licensed distillers and manufacturers; and provide for free, or for a charge, spirits samples of 1/2 ounce or less to customers on the premises, subject to a daily maximum of two ounces per person per day.  Samples will likely be restricted to unaltered samples by rule–no mixed samples.
  • Authorizes special occasion licensees to pay for spirits immediately following a special occasion event.
  • Authorizes a special occasion licensee to charge reasonable booth fees to a distillery participating in the event.

These changes are good news for both distillers and craft distillers.  Craft distillers would be able to produce more spirits before being required to become distillers and will be able to (but not required to) charge for samples for guests at the distillery premises.  Distillers would be able to offer samples to guests at the distillery premises–a privilege that they currently do not have and that hampers their ability to market their product.