Three new alcohol laws go into effect in D.C.
(WJLA) - Good news for businesses that sell alcohol -- and the people who love to consume it -- was handed down in D.C. on Thursday.
The D.C. government announced that three new laws are now in effect for businesses that sell or serve alcohol in the district.
According to a press release, any ABC-licensed restaurant, tavern, nightclub, hotel or multipurpose facility that has a class C license can now apply for a "distillery pub permit" from the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA). The permit will allow an establishment to manufacture, distill and store craft liquors such as gin and vodka on the premises or in an area immediately adjacent to the business.
The law, known as the Distillery Pub Licensure Act of 2013, also permits licensed businesses to sell the liquor they produce to patrons, for consumption both on or off the premises, between the hours of 7 a.m. and midnight. Liquor intended for off-premise consumption must be sold in sealed containers.
Alcohol may also be sold to wholesalers for resale to other ABC-licensed businesses within the district.
ABC-licensed businesses can apply for a distillery pub permit, which costs $7,500, at the ABRA offices, located at 2000 14th St. NW.
Another new law now in effect, the Manufacturers' Sunday Sale Act of 2013, allows manufacturers to sell and deliver alcoholic beverages from 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Previously, the sale of alcohol to wholesalers, retailers and consumers was prohibited on Sundays.
Manufacturers are also gaining four additional days per week to conduct product tastings. The Manufacturer Tasting Permit Act of 2013 allows an alcoholic beverage manufacturer that has a tasting permit to conduct tastings seven days a week, from 1 to 9 p.m. Previously, tastings were only allowed Thursday through Saturday.
All three laws were recently approved by the D.C. Council and signed into law by Mayor Vincent C. Gray.
Read more: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/03/three-new-alcohol-laws-go-into-effect-in-d-c--100867.html#.Uxj2t0Ff8q4.twitter#ixzz2vDzKHOyO
