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ABCC, Nantucket licensing staff warn: buy only from Massachusetts wholesalers; new limits on alcohol-to-go
Summary
State Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission staff told Nantucket licensees they must buy alcohol from Massachusetts wholesalers, avoid pirated or out-of-state product, and follow new rules for delivery and to‑go cocktails; violations can lead to confiscation and license discipline.
State and local licensing officials told Nantucket licensees on Tuesday that they must buy alcohol only from Massachusetts wholesalers or manufacturers, and outlined how delivery, “to‑go” cocktails and recorked wine rules now work.
At a town licensing seminar, ABCC investigator Ralph (last name not stated) said, “An authorized source is any Massachusetts wholesaler or any Massachusetts manufacturer. The key is Massachusetts.” He warned that product bought from out‑of‑state package stores or unknown trucks can be seized and destroyed and that licensees who accept unauthorized stock risk Commission sanctions.
Why it matters: ABCC officials said competing licensees and social‑media posts are common triggers for investigations. Ralph described cases in which large shipments from out‑of‑state trucks were confiscated after competitor complaints; the product was destroyed and the licensee faced enforcement action.
The ABCC explained delivery and alcohol‑to‑go rules. Licensees that deliver alcohol must hold a Chapter 138, Section 22 transportation permit, and each delivery vehicle must be listed on that permit. On‑premise licensees may sell certain mixed spirit cocktails to go if the drinks are mixed on the premises and sold with a prepared meal; they may not sell beer or bottled wine separately to‑go. For mixed cocktails sold for pickup or delivery, containers must be sealed. Ralph summarized the statutory limits and enforcement: “You do a great job checking IDs on the brick and mortar. When you deliver, you do the exact same thing.”
Staff addressed temporary cross‑site transfers and off‑premise storage. The ABCC told licensees they may not transfer alcohol between separately licensed sites or use an unapproved off‑site warehouse: “All alcohol must be stored, sold and stored on your licensed premises,” Ralph said. He noted a pending bill that would allow licensed off‑site storage but said it had not passed.
ABCC Deputy Executive Director Ryan Melville said compliant delivery providers must be licensed and must not take a percentage of alcohol sales: “None of these delivery companies can take a percentage of the alcohol sales. … It has to be a flat fee.” He described the agency’s stand that percentage fees would create an undeclared beneficial interest in a license.
Ending: Officials urged licensees to document invoices and permits, to train drivers on ID checks, and to consult ABCC guidance before posting social‑media promotions that could be construed as unlawful happy‑hour offers.
