Howdy Probrewers -- Zak here from The Olympic Tavern in Rockford, IL.
A long time ago, the Olympic used to sell liquor & beer "to go." We grew away from the package liquor business, but given the tough economy we've been facing, I'm looking into generating revenue any way I can. Unfortunately, there's just no room for an in-house brew system, but we take great pride in our draft beer selection and quality, and so I'd like to add "filling growlers" as another convenience I could offer my customers.
According to my local legal experts, I'm allowed to fill growlers, but not by the state. I got ahold of Isaac ______ (sorry, can't remember his last name) at the IL liquor commission legal office. He informed me that filling growlers is currently illegal under current IL law, as it is "repackaging" a liquor product.
I understand why there is a repackaging law, as I don't want anyone putting cheap vodka in a Grey Goose bottle either, but I seriously doubt most lawmakers have ever even heard the word growler, and when that law.
A few years back, IL passed the law that allows wine drinkers to bring home unfinished bottles of wine in tamper-evident packaging (wine "doggy bags"). Why not allow my beer drinkers the same courtesy? Some of my high end beers cost more per/oz than my cheap house wine.
What's the legal difference between a pitcher and a growler, other than the cap? If the concern is having a sealed container for carryout, that's already been addressed with the "wine doggy bag" law and should be applicable to beer as well. I know some states mandate that you use a "heat seal" on the growler cap, making it tamper-evident -- a detail I could certainly live with.
If the concern is that retailers would somehow alter the product, wouldn't that affect every pour, not just beer to-go? Aren't I "repackaging beer for resale" every time I fill a pint glass? Hell, as currently written, the law even prohibits brewpubs from filling growlers with "guest" beers.
I know that several other states have fought this battle and won. Does anyone know of a resource, either through the Illinois or the national Brewer's Association that I could use?
Cheers-
Zak@theolympictavern.com
A long time ago, the Olympic used to sell liquor & beer "to go." We grew away from the package liquor business, but given the tough economy we've been facing, I'm looking into generating revenue any way I can. Unfortunately, there's just no room for an in-house brew system, but we take great pride in our draft beer selection and quality, and so I'd like to add "filling growlers" as another convenience I could offer my customers.
According to my local legal experts, I'm allowed to fill growlers, but not by the state. I got ahold of Isaac ______ (sorry, can't remember his last name) at the IL liquor commission legal office. He informed me that filling growlers is currently illegal under current IL law, as it is "repackaging" a liquor product.
I understand why there is a repackaging law, as I don't want anyone putting cheap vodka in a Grey Goose bottle either, but I seriously doubt most lawmakers have ever even heard the word growler, and when that law.
A few years back, IL passed the law that allows wine drinkers to bring home unfinished bottles of wine in tamper-evident packaging (wine "doggy bags"). Why not allow my beer drinkers the same courtesy? Some of my high end beers cost more per/oz than my cheap house wine.
What's the legal difference between a pitcher and a growler, other than the cap? If the concern is having a sealed container for carryout, that's already been addressed with the "wine doggy bag" law and should be applicable to beer as well. I know some states mandate that you use a "heat seal" on the growler cap, making it tamper-evident -- a detail I could certainly live with.
If the concern is that retailers would somehow alter the product, wouldn't that affect every pour, not just beer to-go? Aren't I "repackaging beer for resale" every time I fill a pint glass? Hell, as currently written, the law even prohibits brewpubs from filling growlers with "guest" beers.
I know that several other states have fought this battle and won. Does anyone know of a resource, either through the Illinois or the national Brewer's Association that I could use?
Cheers-
Zak@theolympictavern.com
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