SB202 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Spirit infused beverages; permit sale by retailers

Summary

SB202 creates a new low‑alcohol 'spirit infused beverages' category and a limited retail license to sell them, with display rules and board‑run licensing.

What This Bill Does

It defines spirit infused beverages as ready‑to‑drink drinks with up to 7% alcohol by volume, packaged in single‑serve containers no larger than 16 ounces. It creates a limited spirit expanded retail license that lets holders of existing beer or table wine licenses sell spirit infused beverages at retail, either on‑premises, off‑premises, or both depending on their current privileges, and allows purchasing from the board for resale. The board collects the new license fees, can regulate display standards, and local governments are preempted from adding extra licensing or background checks once the license fee is paid. The act takes effect October 1, 2025, and includes rules about displaying these beverages adjacent to beer or wine.

Who It Affects

• Retailers who hold or want to hold beer or table‑wine licenses (on‑premises or off‑premises) and would obtain the limited spirit expanded retail license to sell spirit infused beverages.
• Consumers in Alabama who will be able to purchase spirit infused beverages at licensed retailers and potentially consume them on premises where allowed.

Key Provisions

• Defines Spirit Infused Beverages as single‑serve drinks containing liquor, up to 7% ABV, packaged in containers not larger than 16 ounces (480 ml).
• Adds a new limited spirit expanded retail license (Section 28‑3A‑17.3) allowing certain licensees (retail table wine on/off‑premises, retail beer on/off‑premises) to purchase spirit infused beverages from the board and sell them at retail, with privileges aligned to their existing licenses; includes a 'supply location' provision for affiliated licensees.
• Sets license fees (Section 28‑3A‑21) including a $150 fee for the limited spirit expanded retail license (applicable for on/off‑premises or off‑premises use). The board keeps collected fees and can use them for regulatory/administrative purposes.
• Requires display of spirit infused beverages adjacent to beer or wine, with no separate entrance requirement for these products.
• Preempts additional local licensing or background checks by municipalities, counties, or the state for sale of spirit infused beverages once the limited license fee is paid.
• Effective date: October 1, 2025; board may adopt implementing rules.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco