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California Business and Professions Code Section 23393.5 went into effect on January 1, 2012, authorizing the state’s new limited off-sale wine license.   The new “Type 85” license, which we first discussed here, will allow licensees to make direct sales of wine to consumers over the internet and via direct mail and telephone, without requiring the licensee to maintain a brick and mortar retail location or to hold a beer and wine wholesaler license.  Up until now, businesses looking to focus on internet wine sales have been required to obtain both an off-sale beer and wine retail license and a beer and wine wholesaler license, commonly referred to as a 17/20 license combination.  With a 17/20 combination, licensees are able to sell wine via the internet, but also must meet the requirements of a wholesaler licensee, including selling wine to other retailers.

The California ABC recently posted an Industry Advisory on the new off-sale wine license.  The advisory makes clear that Type 85 license holders may not maintain a brick and mortar store that is open to the public, and all sales must be made via direct mail, telephone or the internet.  Additionally, the ABC confirmed that the new license alleviates the need for a beer and wine wholesaler license for retailers focused on selling wine via the internet, but the ABC will continue to process applications for 17/20 license combinations.  If you would like more information about the license, please feel free to contact any of the attorneys at Strike & Techel.

Imbiblog is published for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. Copyright © 2012 · All Rights Reserved ·

Strike & Techel has moved offices. We’re still here for all your legal questions about the alcoholic beverage industry, but now you can find us at 556 Commercial Street, San Francisco, CA 94111.

Imbiblog is published for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. Copyright © 2010-2011 · All Rights Reserved ·

The SF office of the California Alcoholic Beverage Control informed us today that they are no longer accepting walk-in applications.  This means that you must call the SF ABC to make a filing appointment and then mail-in your application. Be sure to plan ahead for the additional time this may take.

Imbiblog is published for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. Copyright © 2010-2011 · All Rights Reserved ·

Last week, partners Barry Strike and Kristen Techel attended the California ABC’s annual Stakeholder Meeting in Sacramento. The meeting covered everything from furlough status and budget to planned action items for 2011 and 2012. Stakeholder working groups were established to further investigate and provide recommendations to the new ABC Director, Jacob Appelsmith. The four groups will cover issues related to Third Party Providers, Brands and Trademarks and other Things of Value, Licensing Process and Industry Training, and Public Convenience or Necessity.

Interestingly, during the meeting Matt Botting, General Counsel to the ABC, indicated they had not seen many applications for the new tasting permit for off-sale retailers, which we originally discussed here and here. If you’re interested in learning more about or applying for the new instructional tasting license, please feel free to contact any of the attorneys here at Strike & Techel.

Imbiblog is published for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. Copyright © 2010-2011 · All Rights Reserved ·

Welcome to IMBIBLOG, the blog of Strike & Techel. We are attorneys specializing in the laws and regulations governing alcoholic beverages, also known as liquor law or alcohol law.  Liquor law is a specialized area of legal practice.  Compared to other areas of legal specialization, there are relatively few lawyers specializing in alcoholic beverage law. If you are considering starting a business related to alcohol, you will benefit from working with a competent liquor lawyer.

The team at Strike & Techel is experienced and can serve as your TTB lawyer, ABC lawyer, beer lawyer, wine lawyer or distilled spirits lawyer.  We are familiar with TTB law as well as state ABC law in California and across the country.  Preparing and applying for the necessary alcohol beverage licenses is a big part of the alcohol beverage practice and Strike & Techel is highly experienced with ABC license applications and TTB license applications.  

We are based in San Francisco and are particularly familiar with the alcohol laws and regulations of our city. The attorneys at our firm practice alcoholic beverage law exclusively. This blog is our place to tell you about current issues of interest for those in the business of making, promoting, and selling alcoholic beverages.