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California’s Governor Newsom has signed into law Assembly Bill 2174 (“AB 2174”), introducing a Beer Caterer’s permit for licensed breweries to sample and sell their beers at a range of public and private events, without requiring the breweries to maintain a separate, physical space at each event.
Beginning January 2025, beer manufacturers holding a Type 01 or Type 23 license can apply for a Type 91 Beer Caterer’s permit. The permit, issued by the California Alcohol Beverage Control (“ABC”), will allow breweries to sell up to 124 gallons of beer per event for consumption at trade conventions, sporting events, farmer’s markets, street fairs, or other similar community gatherings, with a maximum of 36 events per calendar year. (This differs from the currently available Type 84 Certified Farmer’s Market Beer Sales Permit, which only allows sales of sealed containers for off-site consumption to consumers at certified farmer’s markets.)
For each event, Beer Caterer permittees must obtain approval from ABC and local law enforcement through a catering authorization. Fees for catering authorizations are based on estimated attendance for the event, and ABC will not issue more than two beer catering authorizations for the same day at the same catering event. The annual license fee for a Beer Caterer’s permit is $275, and licensees must maintain records of all beer sales conducted under a Beer Caterer’s permit for a minimum of three years.
Prior to the passage of AB 2174, only certain on-sale retail licensees were authorized to obtain a Caterer’s Permit. With the addition of the Beer Caterer’s permit, licensed beer manufacturers, including smaller craft breweries, will have more opportunities to engage directly with their existing community, as well as reach new customers and drive market expansion.
For more information on applying for a Beer Caterer permit, contact an attorney at Strike Kerr & Johns.
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