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License commission approves farmer's permits for Out to Lunch series; kombucha sales require brewer/farmer permit, official says
Summary
The commission approved farmer's permits for vendors at the Worcester Out to Lunch series and clarified that kombucha with more than 0.5% alcohol is regulated as beer and requires a farmer-brewer permit and compliance with beer regulations.
The Worcester License Commission on May 29 approved farmer's permits for vendors participating in the Worcester Out to Lunch series and clarified the alcohol classification of kombucha sold at markets.
Laurie, representing Home Fruit Wine, and Matthew Glidden of Kraft Tea Kombucha Company applied for farmer's permits covering Wednesdays from June 18 through Sept. 3 for the Out to Lunch series. Both applicants asked to change an end time on an application form; staff adjusted the listed event times to 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and to include rain dates through early September.
During the hearing, Ms. Glidden and other vendors asked whether kombucha requires licensing; Matthew Glidden explained that "kombucha in its natural state has, more than a half a percent, alcohol. So it does qualify, federally and, statewide as a beer." He added that kombucha at roughly 1.5–2% alcohol must comply with the same regulations as beer; the commission accepted farmer's permits for the vendors.
Action: Motions to approve farmer's permits for the Out to Lunch series were made, seconded and approved by the commissioners present (two votes in favor). Staff corrected a typographical end time on an application and confirmed the series schedule and rain-date flexibility.
Vendors were reminded to follow inspectional and ABCC-related rules for alcoholic products sold at public markets.
