Proper DC Brew Pubs Coming Soon? New Permit Now Available to Buy Beer to Drink (more than little samples) at the Breweries

Photo by PoPville flickr user A. Drauglis

From ABRA:

“A new permit is now available to District breweries that will for the first time allow customers to purchase and drink the brewery’s beer while visiting the facility. The new law is a provision of the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2014 (page 27) that took effect today.

Under the Manufacturer Tasting Permit Emergency Amendment Act of 2014, a brewery can apply for an on-site sales and consumption permit with the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA). The permit would allow for customers to purchase and consume beer—brewed at the brewery— while on the licensed premises from 1-9 p.m., seven days a week. The annual fee for the permit is $1,000. ABRA is now accepting and processing permit applications.

Any manufacturer that does not want to apply is not required to do so. A brewery would still need to obtain a tasting permit in order to provide samples of beer to customers at no cost even if they have an on-site sales and consumption permit.”