Instructional Tasting License for Off-Sale Licensees

Section 23396.6 provides for a new “instructional tasting license” to be issued to holders of certain, qualified off-sale retail licensed businesses. Off-sale premises where motor vehicle fuel is sold and those with a total of less than 5,000 square feet of interior retail space are generally not eligible to apply for the instructional tasting license.

Application procedures for an instructional tasting license will be similar to those currently established for other retail businesses, although some ABC Act provisions (such as those related to numbers limitations within counties and public convenience or necessity) are not applicable. The premises of the instructional tasting license will be recognized as being the same area designated and approved for the accompanying off-sale license, although areas used for instructional tasting events will need to be appropriately separated and posted while events are taking place. Eligible off-sale retailers will be able to apply for the instructional tasting license at the Department’s district and branch offices beginning Monday, January 3, 2011, and applications shall be subject to a $300 original fee and $261 annual renewal fee. The license has been designated as “Type 86” by the Department.

An application for the Type 86 license should be prepared using forms required for an original retail license (available on the Department’s website at www.abc.ca.gov) and submitted, along with all required fees, to the appropriate District Office. As the license is to be issued to an off-sale licensee “at the premises” of the underlying off-sale license, form ABC-257 will not be required at the time of application. Forms ordinarily required for the purpose of establishing the qualification of a person or entity (ABC-208, ABC-243, ABC-256, ABC-256-LLC, ABC-140) need not be submitted at the time of application for a Type 86 license. However, in cases where such information is deemed necessary for completion of a full licensing investigation, any of the above described forms and any other supporting documents or information may be subsequently requested by District Office licensing staff.

Section 25503.56 authorizes certain, qualified suppliers (i.e.; “authorized licensees”) or their designated agents to conduct “instructional tasting events” at off-sale retail locations holding the instructional tasting licenses, and to provide tastes of alcoholic beverages to consumers under very specific conditions, restrictions and limitations. Some provisions related to supplier participation at instructional tasting events are similar to those for existing “consumer instruction” activities at on-sale premises. However, other supplier allowances and limitations are unique to the Type 86 license.

A unique aspect of the instructional tasting license is that, while it will be applied for and held by a retail licensee, its core privileges require the involvement or participation of a qualified supplier. With that in mind, suppliers and retailers alike should be fully aware of existing tied-house laws that otherwise restrict or limit business relationships between the supply and retail tiers. A supplier shall in no way, directly or indirectly, pay, reimburse, or assist a retail licensee with any efforts associated with obtaining a type 86 license, nor shall instructional tasting events be used to, in any way, circumvent existing tied-house laws. Any payment made by a supplier to or on behalf of a retailer, directly or indirectly, in connection with an instructional tasting event, except as authorized or required for alcoholic beverage products to be used during the tasting event, shall be considered a violation of tied-house laws.

Off-sale retailers interested in applying for instructional tasting licenses and suppliers interested in conducting instructional tasting events should familiarize themselves with all details of the applicable statutes, paying close attention to provisions related to licensee eligibility and operating requirements, restrictions and limitations. The Department believes that it is the responsibility of all participating parties to be fully aware of the detailed provisions set forth in Assembly Bill 605 and to conduct instructional tasting events in full compliance with the ABC Act.

The following addendum to this advisory highlights some of the unique aspects and restrictions associated with the Type 86 license and instructional tasting events. The full text of the chaptered bill and detailed legislative analysis is available at California Legislative Information.