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Searching 2023-2024 Session

The Vermont Statutes Online

The Vermont Statutes Online have been updated to include the actions of the 2023 session of the General Assembly.

NOTE: The Vermont Statutes Online is an unofficial copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated that is provided as a convenience.

Title 7 : Alcoholic Beverages, Cannabis, and Tobacco

Chapter 009 : Licensing

Subchapter 004 : TASTING AND EVENT PERMITS

(Cite as: 7 V.S.A. § 256)
  • § 256. Promotional tastings for licensees

    (a)(1) At the request of a first- or second-class licensee, a holder of a manufacturer’s, rectifier’s, or wholesale dealer’s license may distribute without charge to the first- or second-class licensee’s management and staff, provided they are of legal age, two ounces per person of vinous beverages, malt beverages, or ready-to-drink spirits beverages for the purpose of promoting the beverage.

    (2) At the request of a holder of a third-class license, a manufacturer or rectifier of spirits or fortified wines may distribute without charge to the third-class licensee’s management and staff, provided they are of legal age, one-quarter ounce of each beverage and not more than a total of one ounce to each individual for the purpose of promoting the beverage.

    (3) No permit is required for a tasting pursuant to this subsection.

    (b)(1) At the request of a holder of a wholesale dealer’s license, a first-class licensee may dispense malt beverages, vinous beverages, or ready-to-drink spirits beverages for promotional purposes without charge to invited management and staff of first-, second-, or third-class licensees, provided they are of legal age.

    (2) The event shall be held on the premises of the first-class licensee.

    (3) The first-class licensee shall be responsible for complying with all applicable laws under this title.

    (4) No permit is required for a tasting pursuant to this subsection, but the wholesale dealer shall provide written notice of the event to the Division of Liquor Control at least 10 days prior to the date of the tasting.

    (c)(1) Upon receipt of a first- or second-class application by the Division, a holder of a wholesale dealer’s license may dispense malt beverages, vinous beverages, or ready-to-drink spirits beverages for promotional purposes without charge to invited management and staff of the business that has applied for a first- or second-class license, provided they are of legal age.

    (2) The event shall be held on the premises of the first- or second-class applicant.

    (3) The first- or second-class applicant shall be responsible for complying with all applicable laws under this title.

    (4) No malt beverages, vinous beverages, or ready-to-drink spirits beverages shall be left behind at the conclusion of the tasting.

    (5) No permit is required under this subsection, but the wholesale dealer shall provide written notice of the event to the Division at least five days prior to the date of the tasting. (Added 2017, No. 83, § 53; amended 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 40; 2018, No. 1 (Sp. Sess.), § 53; 2021, No. 70, § 4; 2021, No. 177 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. July 1, 2022.)