HB 5021 Summary

• Increases beer purchase limits at manufacturer breweries and brew pubs from 8 liters to 9 liters per person per day and changes "shall" to "may" for limiting tastings to tour attendees.

• Adds new manufacturer permit for beer and brew pubs combining both permit types with a $1,500 annual fee, requiring minimum 5,000 gallons annual production.

• Modifies package store permits to allow fee-based wine education classes, complementary fresh fruits, cheese, crackers, and olives as permitted sales items alongside existing allowances.

• Allows one beer or alcoholic liquor item per month to be sold below cost (minimum 90% of cost) with advance Department notification, enabling competitive pricing.

• Establishes a Competitive Alcoholic Liquor Pricing Task Force to examine Connecticut's alcoholic liquor taxes, discounts, permit restrictions, and minimum pricing compared to surrounding states, with findings due January 1, 2013.

• Modifies hours of operation for various permittees including brew pubs, casinos, and cafe establishments; removes certain holiday sale restrictions for package stores and allows farmers' market wine sales during market hours.