S171 - Spirituous Liquor Tastings/ABC Stores

• Authorizes local ABC boards to allow permit holders (distillery permit holders, distiller broker representatives, and distiller representatives) to conduct consumer tasting events at ABC stores in municipalities that have approved mixed beverage sales

• Limits tastings to one-quarter ounce samples per product with a maximum of one-half ounce per consumer per calendar day, conducted only between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. for no more than three hours

• Restricts tastings to designated areas within ABC stores, prohibits charging consumers, requires age verification, and prohibits serving visibly intoxicated persons; liquor must be purchased from ABC stores at the established price

• Limits local boards to three consumer tasting events per calendar week with no more than two different permit holders conducting events simultaneously; requires permit holders to provide 48-hour advance written notice to the ABC Commission

• Amends existing law to permit consumption of spirits at ABC stores when authorized consumer tasting events are being conducted and authorizes distillery permit holders to conduct these tasting events