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Terms Used In Vermont Statutes Title 7 Sec. 256

  • Division: means the Division of Liquor Control in the Department of Liquor and Lottery. See
  • Fortified wines: means vinous beverages, including those to which spirits have been added during manufacture, containing at least 16 percent alcohol but not more than 23 percent alcohol by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit and all vermouths containing not more than 23 percent alcohol by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. See
  • Legal age: means 21 years of age or older. See
  • Malt beverages: means all fermented beverages of any name or description manufactured for sale from malt, wholly or in part, or from any malt substitute, known as, among other things, beer, ale, or lager, containing not less than one percent nor more than 16 percent alcohol by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. See
  • Second-class license: means a license permitting the licensee to export and to sell malt beverages, vinous beverages, or ready-to-drink spirits beverages to the public for consumption off the premises for which the license is granted. See
  • Spirits: means beverages that contain more than one percent alcohol obtained by distillation, by chemical synthesis, or through concentration by freezing; vinous beverages containing more than 23 percent alcohol; and malt beverages containing more than 16 percent alcohol by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. See
  • Third-class license: means a license granted by the Board of Liquor and Lottery permitting the licensee to sell spirits and fortified wines for consumption only on the premises for which the license is granted. See
  • Vinous beverages: means all fermented beverages of any name or description manufactured or obtained for sale from the natural sugar content of fruits or other agricultural product, containing sugar, the total alcoholic content of which is not less than one percent nor more than 16 percent by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. See

§ 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.)