CA SB56

Authorizes retail licensees to return regular beer in exchange for an identical quantity of a specific full-calorie brand or reduced-calorie brand from the same manufacturer or importer.

Requires that reduced-calorie beer brands use substantially the same name as the full-calorie brand and incorporate substantial parts of the full-calorie brand's branding to qualify for exchange eligibility.

Maintains existing restrictions that beer can only be returned for order errors, damaged packages within 15 days, or under specific exceptions for seasonal/temporary licensees, discontinued brands, or recalled products.

Allows wholesalers or manufacturers to issue credit memorandums, deferred exchange memorandums, or refunds for returned beer under the specified conditions.

Permits on-sale retail licensees with catering authorizations to return unused and unopened beer purchased for specific events to the original selling licensee at the conclusion of the event.