HB148 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Becky Nordgren

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Alcoholic beverages, permit a retail licensee and state liquor store to conduct distilled liquor and wine tastings, Sec. 28-3A-25 am'd.

Summary

The bill would allow wine and liquor tastings in Alabama liquor stores and off-premises liquor retailers, under state ABC rules, with limits on servings and a phased rollout.

What This Bill Does

It lets licensed manufacturers or their representatives conduct tastings inside state liquor stores and off-premises liquor retail stores at no charge to customers. Tastings are limited to specific portions and counts: up to 1 ounce per wine (up to four wines) and 0.25 ounce per distilled spirit (up to two spirits), start by 6:00 p.m., last up to two hours, and only one tasting per premises per 24 hours. The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board would regulate the tasting procedures, and tastings would be allowed in a growing share of stores over time (10% in 2016, 20% in 2017, and 28% beginning in 2018).

Who It Affects

• Retail licensees for off-premises liquor sales and state liquor stores would be allowed to host tastings of wine and distilled spirits under the new rules.
• Licensed manufacturers or their representatives and consumers who attend tastings would be governed by the new serving limits, scheduling, and regulatory oversight.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 28-3A-25 to permit tastings of wine and distilled liquor inside off-premises retail liquor stores and state liquor stores, conducted by licensed manufacturers or their representatives.
• Tastings may be conducted at no charge to the consumer; wine samples limited to 1 ounce per sample with up to four wines; distilled spirit samples limited to 0.25 ounce with up to two spirits.
• Tastings must begin no later than 6:00 p.m. and last up to two hours; only one tasting per premises within any 24-hour period.
• The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board shall regulate the procedures for tastings.
• Tastings may occur at not more than 10% of state liquor stores in 2016, not more than 20% in 2017, and not more than 28% beginning in 2018.
• Section 3 establishes the act's effective date as the first day of the sixth month after passage and approval.

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