Sweeping Changes to Wisconsin's Multibillion-Dollar Liquor Industry Pass Assembly
Key Highlights :
The Wisconsin Assembly has passed a sweeping measure to update and streamline the laws governing the state's multibillion-dollar liquor industry. Supported by groups ranging from the smallest craft brewers to the largest national brewers, bar owners, and alcohol distributors, the bill was met with broad bipartisan support and is expected to be signed into law by Governor Tony Evers.
The new legislation would create a new division within the state Department of Revenue to oversee and enforce the state's alcohol laws. Currently, the lack of such a unit has led to inconsistent enforcement of the law and confusion over how it affects new businesses that weren't envisioned when the laws were enacted.
The measure seeks to update laws in a state that saw the birth of beer-giant Miller in Milwaukee and has seen an explosion of craft brewers in recent years, like New Glarus Brewing Co. which produces Spotted Cow and other beers available for sale only in Wisconsin. The bill affects every level of the state's alcohol industry, governing the licensing, production, sale, and distribution of beer, wine, and liquor.
The proposal would require venues that provide alcohol at special events, known generally as wedding barns, to be regulated in a new way. They could either get a permit that would allow them to host events six times a year or no more than once a month, or obtain a liquor license that would allow them to sell alcohol at as many events as they wish.
The bill would also allow for expanded hours at wineries and would regulate them the same as craft breweries and distilleries. It would permit brew pubs to operate stand-alone retail stores and allow craft breweries to sell products from other out-of-state breweries. The bill would also create new guidance for contract brewing, winemaking, and distilling, which is a growing segment of the industry. It also allows for bars in 14 southeastern Wisconsin counties to stay open two to four hours longer than the current 2 a.m. limit during the Republican National Convention next summer in Milwaukee.
The measure has broad support from groups such as Anheuser-Busch Companies, the Tavern League of Wisconsin, Kwik Trip, Molson Coors Brewing Co., New Glarus Brewing Company, the Wisconsin Craft Beverage Coalition, the Wisconsin Grocers Association, and the Wisconsin Wine and Spirit Institute. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who helped broker the deal resulting in the bill, downplayed concerns of wedding barn owners, saying that they have to follow the law and the rules.
The bill passed with a bipartisan 90-4 vote and now heads to the Senate for final approval. With the new legislation in place, Wisconsin's multibillion-dollar liquor industry will be streamlined and updated, creating a more level playing field for all involved.
