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Beer board refers Buckethead Tavern to administrative hearing after two underage-sale citations
Summary
Following testimony and board questioning, the Knoxville Beer Board voted to send Buckethead Tavern to an administrative hearing over two underage-sale incidents occurring on game days; the motion was moved by Councilman Roberto and seconded by Councilman Thomas, with the transcript recording the final tally as "7 in favor, 2 against."
The Knoxville Beer Board voted on Nov. 28, 2025 to refer Buckethead Tavern to an administrative hearing after the board heard testimony about two underage-sale citations tied to busy college football game days.
Troy Hale, identified in the transcript as the former owner of Buckethead Tavern, told the board the two citations occurred on or around Alabama game days (dates listed as Oct. 18 and Oct. 19 in different years) after 12 years without citation. Hale described circumstances that included heavy crowds and new staff, apologized and outlined steps taken since the incidents, including mandatory certification for servers and new remedial procedures he said had been implemented.
Members questioned whether the establishment used point-of-sale ID-scanning technology and pressed for more frequent policy reinforcement than the quarterly reviews described in the submitted remedial plan. Councilman Roberto moved to refer the matter to an administrative hearing officer, arguing the remedial plan as submitted did not contain sufficient specifics; Councilman Thomas seconded the motion to allow the administrative hearing process to vet remedial measures and allow the new owner an opportunity to present additional compliance steps.
Officer Presley, the beer inspector, explained enforcement procedures and confirmed one of the incidents involved an officer cadet who had not been ID'd at the point of service. Mister Frost explained that if a remedial plan or a fine is not submitted or paid as required, the matter will automatically proceed to a hearing officer under chapter 4 of the code.
After deliberation, the chair called the vote on the referral motion; the meeting transcript records the result as "7 in favor, 2 against." (Note: roll-call earlier in the meeting recorded seven members present; the transcript's vote tally is recorded as shown.)
The referral means the case will be heard by an administrative hearing officer or otherwise proceed under the law department's noncompliance complaint procedures, where the law department will determine the proper respondent and file any required complaint. The board did not revoke the permit at the meeting; it referred the issue for formal hearing.
