SB 479 Summary

• Creates a new craft brewer license under Alabama Code Section 28-3A-6.1 allowing breweries to produce up to 2,000,000 barrels of beer per year.

• Permits craft brewers to operate a food service facility on their licensed premises, give away free beer samples for on-premises consumption, and sell beer at retail for both on-premises and off-premises consumption.

• Restricts craft brewers from selling directly to retailers and requires all beer sales to go through licensed wholesalers except for direct-to-consumer sales at the brewery.

• Requires craft brewers to file label lists and federal label approvals, submit monthly shipment reports, maintain daily production records, and allow board inspections at any time.

• Sets the annual craft brewer license fee at $500 and subjects craft brewers to privilege and excise taxes equivalent to wholesaler obligations.