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Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration
 

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New ABC License Types Available Beginning Today

Monday, May 4, 2015
The licenses are available as part of a new alcohol law

(Washington, DC) Several new types of alcohol licenses are available to District businesses beginning today. The licenses are part of a new law that is now in effect in the District.  

One provision of the law provides a new permit to District distilleries and wineries. The on-site sales and consumption permit would allow a distillery to sell their spirits on-site in the form of cocktails for the first time. A winery with the permit could sell and serve glasses of their wine to customers. Until now, on-site sales and consumption permits were only available to breweries in the District. The application for the permit is available on the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration’s (ABRA) website.

The legislation also creates a new license for alcohol-infused products such as cupcakes. The class C manufacturer’s license allows a bakery to manufacture and sell baked goods—with a maximum of five-percent of alcohol per volume—to persons 21 years of age or older. Products could also be sold to other businesses that have alcoholic beverage licenses. A bakery licensed under a class C manufacturer’s license is limited to selling and serving alcohol-infused baked goods and would not be permitted to sell and serve alcoholic beverages.

Organizers of sporting or performing arts events can now apply for a new type of license under the law. The festival license temporarily permits the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages at approved events for up to 15 days. The license would eliminate the need for organizers to obtain several one-day permits over the course of longer events. An organizer could apply for the license every three months.

The law, known as the Omnibus Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Amendment Act of 2014, went into effect in the District on Saturday, May 2, after the Congressional review period expired. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed the bill on Monday, January 26. Applicants that have questions about the new licenses can contact ABRA by emailing or by calling (202) 442-4423.