Apply for a Type 91 Beer Manufacturer’s Catering Authorization

The Type 58 caterer’s permit is a separate permit which allows certain on-sale retail licensees to cater alcoholic beverages off-site. Visit the Caterer’s Permit page for more information on the Type 58.

To use your Type 91 caterer’s permit, you must obtain authorization from ABC for each catered event. You must submit a Beer Manufacturer’s Catering Authorization Application (Form ABC-218-BMC) and payment to your local district office.

• Beer Manufacturer’s Catering Authorization Application – Instructions (ABC-218-BMC Instructions)
• Beer Manufacturer’s Catering Authorization Application (ABC-218-BMC)
• Additional License/Permit Application (ABC-239)
• Supplemental Diagram (ABC-253)
  

Form ABC-218-BMC must be submitted at least three days before the event, but no more than 30 days before the event. Applications submitted outside of this timeframe may not be processed. When the same event is two or more consecutive days, submit a single Form ABC-218-BMC. For dates that are not consecutive, please submit a separate Form ABC-218-BMC for each date. Each licensee has a maximum of 36 event days that can be authorized per calendar year. Only two beer manufacturers per day can cater an event. ABC will process applications for each event in the order they are received.

Approval

ABC must pre-approve all catering events. All applications must be approved by the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the event location. Your event may also require operating conditions or a Supplemental Diagram (Form ABC-253) which clearly identifies where the event is being held. ABC staff will contact you if you have not provided all of the required documents. If ABC does not receive a completed application or the required documents, the application may be denied.

If your event authorization is approved, you will receive an approval document. You are required to print the approval document and have it available at your event, along with any signed conditions. ABC is not required to return copies of supporting documents. Please make copies before you submit your application.

Fees and Refunds

The fee for a Type 91 beer manufacturer’s catering authorization is separate from the annual caterer’s permit fee and is dependent on the estimated attendance size of the catered event. This fee is collected for each day of the event that alcohol is being sold. To determine fee(s) due, visit the License Fees page.

If your event is canceled or denied, you may be eligible for a refund. Refunds will not be issued for events canceled on or after the date of the event.

To request a refund, complete a Catering Authorization Refund Request (Form ABC-218 REF). The refund form must be emailed by 11:59 p.m. the day before the event, delivered in person to an ABC employee by close of business the day before the event, or postmarked by the day before the event. Any form which does not meet that criteria will not be processed, and no refund will be issued. Read the ABC-218 REF instructions before completing the form. Refunds may take approximately 6 to 8 weeks to process.

Location of Catered Events

The location of a catered event must be preapproved by ABC. The site of a catered event may be an unlicensed building or grounds, a licensed building, a separate room within a licensed building, or upon a boat or vessel. If the site is licensed, that license must be surrendered to ABC during the period when the catered event is being held. The licensee must use a License Action Request (Form ABC-231) to surrender a license. Please note that although the license is surrendered, any restrictions that normally apply to the license remain. For example, if the site of a catered event is on the premises of a Type 48 license, minors (persons under the age of 21) are not able to attend the event.

A catered event may be held upon private school grounds; however, such authorization will be conditioned so that no sale or service of alcoholic beverages is permitted during hours in which any class is in session.

Other Legal Requirements

The approved caterer is authorized to sell up to 124 gallons of beer manufactured by or for the licensee per catering event. The caterer can only sell beer for consumption at the event location. The licensee shall maintain records of all beer sales conducted under a beer caterer’s permit for a minimum of 3 years.

At all approved events, you may exercise only those privileges authorized by your license. You must comply with all provisions of the ABC Act. Any violation may be grounds for the suspension or revocation of your license or permit, or both, as though the violation occurred on your licensed premises.

A Type 91 beer manufacturer’s catering authorization authorizes you to cater beer at approved events. Service of food is not required at a catered event. Persons under 21 years of age may be allowed on the premises of a catered event unless the location of the event is normally prohibited from allowing minors. However, they may not possess, purchase, or consume alcoholic beverages.

A licensee holding a Type 91 beer manufacturer’s caterer’s permit is subject to Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) requirements and requires alcohol servers and managers of alcohol servers to be RBS certified.

Reference

Sections 23320 and 23399.01 of the Business and Professions Code.

Additional Resources

• Type 91 Beer Manufacturer’s Catering Authorization Application – Instructions (ABC-218-BMC Instructions)
• Type 91 Beer Manufacturer’s Catering Authorization Application (ABC-218-BMC)
• Type 58 Catering Authorization Application – Instructions (ABC-218 Instructions)
• Type 58 Catering Authorization Application (ABC-218)
• Additional License/Permit Application (ABC-239)
• Supplemental Diagram (ABC-253)
• COVID-19 Temporary Catering Authorization Application (ABC-218 CV19)
• COVID-19 Temporary Catering Authorization Application – Instructions (ABC-218 CV19 Instructions)