Kentucky: 8 changes under Kentucky’s new alcohol law
Source: courier-journal.com
Bailey Loosemore
July 16, 2016
Senate Bill 11 – signed into law earlier this year – took effect July 15 and is now allowing alcohol-related businesses statewide to receive new and increased privileges that are meant to support tourism and advance production.
According to supporters of the bill, the changes include the removal of several archaic regulations dating back to Prohibition as well as a few additions that will ideally set Kentucky up to compete with other states in terms of attracting and expanding businesses.
Here are some of the changes and additions made in the bill, as provided by the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
1. Local option elections
All cities – regardless of population – can now conduct local wet-dry votes. And distilleries located within dry or moist counties can also now hold their own moist precinct local option elections. That means distilleries located outside a city’s limits can hold an election within their precincts, instead of taking the vote countywide.
2. Local ordinances
All cities and counties – regardless of population – can also now choose to enact ordinances that would allow businesses to remain open and sell alcohol on Sunday or after midnight. In Louisville, a similar ordinance is already in effect, allowing businesses to apply for 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. licenses.
3. Distillery sales
Limits for souvenir package sales and spirit sample sizes both went up under SB 11. Now, customers can purchase up to 4.5 liters – or about six 750 mL bottles – per day at a distillery and can sample 1.75 ounces of one or more spirits – up from 1 ounce previously – during tours. In addition, distilleries are now permitted to apply for NQ-3 retail drink licenses, which will allow them to sell alcohol by the glass. However, distillery employees who sell and serve alcohol are also required to undergo a server training in alcohol regulations program offered by the state.
4. Microbrewery license
The maximum production cap for a microbrewery license has been increased from 25,000 barrels per year to 50,000 barrels per year. A microbrewery license also now allows craft breweries to sell their own beers to customers at fairs, festivals and similar events.
Against the Grain Brewery is among 14 microbreweries that have opened in Kentucky since 2011, joining veterans BBC, Cumberland Brews and Lexington Brewing and Distillery Co. Against the Grain Brewery at 401 East Main Street has a rather large operation that handles the production of craft beer, along with bottling and distribution, and boasts a family-friendly restaurant.
5. Small farm wineries
The maximum production cap for a small farm winery license has been increased from 50,000 gallons per year to 100,000 gallons per year.
6. Authorized public consumption
No, this does not mean anyone can now crack a beer on the street. But customers on a “commercial quadricycle” that has an authorized public consumption license will now be able to bring unopened packages of alcohol aboard to drink while biking around town.
A sample is poured in the tasting room at the Woodford
7. Bed and breakfast businesses
Bed and breakfasts can now also apply for NQ-3 licenses, allowing them to sell alcohol to registered guests.
8. Powdered alcohol
It’s officially illegal.