Bill Allowing Tasting Room Liquor Sales Advances

Unlike wineries or breweries, California consumers are not allowed to buy bottles of liquor in distillery tasting rooms. A bill by Democratic Assemblyman Marc Levine that advanced in the Senate Tuesday would change that. It would allow customers to buy up to three bottles a day.

Levin says the bill would also allow distilleries to expand their businesses in other ways.

"It authorizes a craft distiller to hold ownership in up to three restaurants," he says. "And it allows craft distillers to hold private events at the distillery and offer their distilled spirits."

Levin says allowing liquor sales in tasting rooms would help expand the craft distilling industry in California. His office says there are nearly 50 small craft distilleries in the state.