HB96 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

K.L. Brown

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Alcoholic beverages, entertainment district or brewpub, sale of alcoholic beverages, Sec. 28-3A-6.1 added; Secs. 28-3A-17.1, 28-4A-3 am'd.

Summary

HB96 would expand where and how beer can be sold and consumed, create a new craft brewer license, and let brewpubs operate with on- and off-premises sales within Alabama.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows retail licensees to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on their premises and lets patrons of craft breweries or brewpubs exit with open containers and drink within the designated entertainment district. It also allows brewpubs to sell beer for on- and off-premises consumption and creates a new craft brewer license to produce up to 2,000,000 barrels per year and operate a restaurant on the licensed premises. Additionally, it sets licensing and regulatory requirements for craft brewers (labels, reporting, inspection, and taxes) and establishes specific license fees for brewpubs and craft brewers.

Who It Affects

• Retail alcohol licensees and entertainment districts: can sell alcohol for on-site consumption and have patrons consume within the district (with open containers allowed for patrons of craft brewery or brewpub premises) under district designations.
• Craft brewers and brewpubs: gain a new craft brewer license (up to 2,000,000 barrels/year) with on-site food service and on- or off-premises beer sales, plus associated reporting, inspection, and tax obligations; brewpubs can operate restaurants on premises and sell their own beer.

Key Provisions

• Amendments to allow entertainment district designations where on-premises retail licensees can sell and patrons may consume alcohol on the licensed premises within the district, with open-container use allowed inside the district but not in other licensed premises.
• Create Section 28-3A-6.1 to establish a Craft Brewer License for producers up to 2,000,000 barrels per year, authorizing brewing and sale within Alabama and allowing direct-to-consumer sales on licensed premises or sales to licensed wholesalers (not direct-to-retailers).
• Craft brewers may sell beer brewed on the licensed premises for on- or off-premises consumption, maintain required records, submit monthly shipment reports, and be subject to inspections and tax collection on behalf of the state and localities.
• Brewpub license provisions (amending 28-4A-3) allow brewpubs to brew beer (up to 10,000 barrels/year), operate a restaurant or provide food on-site, and sell beer produced on the premises for on- or off-premises consumption, with a $1,000 annual license fee.
• Tax and enforcement provisions require craft brewers to collect applicable taxes from consumers, maintain prescribed records, and comply with labeling and filing requirements; brewpubs and craft brewers are subject to board regulations and inspections.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Alcoholic Beverages