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Bill to create 'educational distillery' license sparks debate over Alabama's three-tier alcohol system
Summary
A proposed license to create tourism-focused ‘‘educational distillery’’ operations drew support for tourism and local economic development and opposition from wholesalers and smaller distillers who said production thresholds and three-tier protections would exclude many Alabama distilleries; the committee held a public hearing but did not vote.
The House Committee on Economic Development and Tourism held a public hearing on Senate Bill 316, a proposal to create a new “educational distillery” license intended to promote tours, tourism and on-site events at large distilleries.
Under the bill as introduced, a licensee would be required to produce at least 100,000 gallons annually and operate a distillery of at least 5,000 square feet. Sponsors told the committee the licensing category would allow large distilleries to sell alcoholic beverages produced on-site for retail and on-premises consumption and permit sale of beer and wine produced elsewhere for special events and on-site restaurants, with the aim of promoting tourism and generating tax revenue.
Proponents linked the idea to existing models such as the Kentucky…
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