If passed, the Distiller Regulatory Reform Bill would mark another win following the Craft Beer Distribution & Modernization Act.
A new bill in North Carolina could help loosen alcohol sale restrictions for craft distilleries, reports Port City Daily.
North Carolina is among the number of states that regulate the sale of alcohol. However, if the Distiller Regulatory Reform Bill is approved, distilleries will have more jurisdiction over their operation and sales. Currently, any in-state retail establishment that wants to serve alcohol must purchase the bottles from a state-run store. The proposed bill would allow distillers in North Carolina to sell their products directly to their customers, rather than going through a third-party vendor to bottle and sell.
Earlier this year, North Carolina passed the Craft Beer Distribution & Modernization Act, a set of bills that promote consumer choice by allowing craft breweries to sell up to 50,000 barrels a year to retailers at wholesale prices as long as total sales volume doesn’t exceed 100,000 barrels. This includes what brewers also sell in taproom and to affiliated retailers.
“I think [the Distiller Regulatory Reform Bill] is comparable to what we did with craft brewing,” said Rep. Chuck McGrady. “We provided exceptions to them to how they want to distribute. The idea is they would distribute in their own towns or cities.
