(1)(a) There shall be a license for microbreweries; fee to be $50 for production of less than sixty thousand barrels of malt liquor, including strong beer, per year.
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Terms Used In Washington Code 66.24.244

  • Beer: means any malt beverage, flavored malt beverage, or malt liquor as these terms are defined in this chapter. See Washington Code 66.04.010
  • Board: means the liquor and cannabis board, constituted under this title. See Washington Code 66.04.010
  • brewery: means any person engaged in the business of manufacturing beer and malt liquor. See Washington Code 66.04.010
  • Domestic brewery: means a place where beer and malt liquor are manufactured or produced by a brewer within the state. See Washington Code 66.04.010
  • Domestic winery: means a place where wines are manufactured or produced within the state of Washington. See Washington Code 66.04.010
  • Employee: means any person employed by the board. See Washington Code 66.04.010
  • Liquor: includes the four varieties of liquor herein defined (alcohol, spirits, wine, and beer), and all fermented, spirituous, vinous, or malt liquor, or combinations thereof, and mixed liquor, a part of which is fermented, spirituous, vinous or malt liquor, or otherwise intoxicating; and every liquid or solid or semisolid or other substance, patented or not, containing alcohol, spirits, wine, or beer, and all drinks or drinkable liquids and all preparations or mixtures capable of human consumption, and any liquid, semisolid, solid, or other substance, which contains more than one percent of alcohol by weight shall be conclusively deemed to be intoxicating. See Washington Code 66.04.010
  • malt liquor: means any beverage such as beer, ale, lager beer, stout, and porter obtained by the alcoholic fermentation of an infusion or decoction of pure hops, or pure extract of hops and pure barley malt or other wholesome grain or cereal in pure water containing not more than eight percent of alcohol by weight, and not less than one-half of one percent of alcohol by volume. See Washington Code 66.04.010
  • Permit: means a permit for the purchase of liquor under this title. See Washington Code 66.04.010
  • Person: means an individual, copartnership, association, or corporation. See Washington Code 66.04.010
  • Restaurant: means any establishment provided with special space and accommodations where, in consideration of payment, food, without lodgings, is habitually furnished to the public, not including drug stores and soda fountains. See Washington Code 66.04.010
  • sell: include exchange, barter, and traffic; and also include the selling or supplying or distributing, by any means whatsoever, of liquor, or of any liquid known or described as beer or by any name whatever commonly used to describe malt or brewed liquor or of wine, by any person to any person; and also include a sale or selling within the state to a foreign consignee or his or her agent in the state. See Washington Code 66.04.010
  • Spirits: means any beverage which contains alcohol obtained by distillation, except flavored malt beverages, but including wines exceeding twenty-four percent of alcohol by volume. See Washington Code 66.04.010
  • Store: means a state liquor store established under this title. See Washington Code 66.04.010
  • Tavern: means any establishment with special space and accommodation for sale by the glass and for consumption on the premises, of beer, as herein defined. See Washington Code 66.04.010
  • Wine: means any alcoholic beverage obtained by fermentation of fruits (grapes, berries, apples, et cetera) or other agricultural product containing sugar, to which any saccharine substances may have been added before, during or after fermentation, and containing not more than twenty-four percent of alcohol by volume, including sweet wines fortified with wine spirits, such as port, sherry, muscatel, and angelica, not exceeding twenty-four percent of alcohol by volume and not less than one-half of one percent of alcohol by volume. See Washington Code 66.04.010
  • Winery: means a business conducted by any person for the manufacture of wine for sale, other than a domestic winery. See Washington Code 66.04.010
(b) The annual fee in (a) of this subsection is waived during the 12-month period beginning with the second calendar month after February 28, 2021, for:
(i) Licenses that expire during the 12-month waiver period under this subsection (1)(b); and
(ii) Licenses issued to persons previously licensed under this section at any time during the 12-month period prior to the 12-month waiver period under this subsection (1)(b).
(c) The waiver in (b) of this subsection does not apply to any licensee that:
(i) Had their license suspended by the board for health and safety violations of state COVID-19 guidelines; or
(ii) Received an order of immediate restraint or citation from the department of labor and industries for allowing an employee to perform work where business activity was prohibited in violation of an emergency proclamation of the governor under RCW 43.06.220.
(d) Upon request of the department of revenue, the board and the department of labor and industries must both provide a list of persons that they have determined to be ineligible for a fee waiver under (b) of this subsection for the reasons described in (c) of this subsection. Unless otherwise agreed, any list must be received by the department of revenue no later than 15 calendar days after the request is made.
(2)(a) Any microbrewery licensed under this section may also act as a distributor and/or retailer for beer and strong beer of its own production.
(b) Any microbrewery operating as a distributor and/or retailer under this subsection must comply with the applicable laws and rules relating to distributors and/or retailers, except that a microbrewery operating as a distributor may maintain a warehouse off the premises of the microbrewery for the distribution of beer provided that:
(i) The warehouse has been approved by the board under RCW 66.24.010; and
(ii) The number of warehouses off the premises of the microbrewery does not exceed one.
(c) A microbrewery holding a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license may sell beer of its own production for off-premises consumption from its restaurant premises in kegs or in a sanitary container brought to the premises by the purchaser or furnished by the licensee and filled at the tap by the licensee at the time of sale.
(3) Any microbrewery licensed under this section may also sell from its premises for on-premises and off-premises consumption:
(a) Beer produced by another microbrewery or a domestic brewery as long as the other breweries’ brands do not exceed twenty-five percent of the microbrewery’s on-tap offerings; or
(b) Cider produced by a domestic winery.
(4) The board may issue up to four retail licenses allowing a microbrewery to operate an on or off-premises tavern, beer and/or wine restaurant, spirits, beer, and wine restaurant, or any combination thereof.
(5) A microbrewery that holds a tavern license, spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license, or a beer and/or wine restaurant license holds the same privileges and endorsements as permitted under RCW 66.24.320, 66.24.330, and 66.24.420.
(6)(a) A microbrewery licensed under this section may apply to the board for an endorsement to sell bottled beer of its own production at retail for off-premises consumption at a qualifying farmers market. The annual fee for this endorsement is seventy-five dollars. However, strong beer may not be sold at a farmers market or under any endorsement which may authorize microbreweries to sell beer at farmers markets.
(b) For each month during which a microbrewery will sell beer at a qualifying farmers market, the microbrewery must provide the board or its designee a list of the dates, times, and locations at which bottled beer may be offered for sale. This list must be received by the board before the microbrewery may offer beer for sale at a qualifying farmers market.
(c) Any person selling or serving beer must obtain a class 12 or class 13 alcohol server permit.
(d) The beer sold at qualifying farmers markets must be produced in Washington.
(e) Each approved location in a qualifying farmers market is deemed to be part of the microbrewery license for the purpose of this title. The approved locations under an endorsement granted under this subsection (6) include tasting or sampling privileges subject to the conditions pursuant to RCW 66.24.175. The microbrewery may not store beer at a farmers market beyond the hours that the microbrewery offers bottled beer for sale. The microbrewery may not act as a distributor from a farmers market location.
(f) Before a microbrewery may sell bottled beer at a qualifying farmers market, the farmers market must apply to the board for authorization for any microbrewery with an endorsement approved under this subsection (6) to sell bottled beer at retail at the farmers market. This application must include, at a minimum: (i) A map of the farmers market showing all booths, stalls, or other designated locations at which an approved microbrewery may sell bottled beer; and (ii) the name and contact information for the on-site market managers who may be contacted by the board or its designee to verify the locations at which bottled beer may be sold. Before authorizing a qualifying farmers market to allow an approved microbrewery to sell bottled beer at retail at its farmers market location, the board must notify the persons or entities of the application for authorization pursuant to RCW 66.24.010 (8) and (9). An authorization granted under this subsection (6)(f) may be withdrawn by the board for any violation of this title or any rules adopted under this title.
(g) The board may adopt rules establishing the application and approval process under this section and any additional rules necessary to implement this section.
(h) For the purposes of this subsection (6):
(i) “Qualifying farmers market” has the same meaning as defined in RCW 66.24.170.
(ii) “Farmer” means a natural person who sells, with or without processing, agricultural products that he or she raises on land he or she owns or leases in this state or in another state’s county that borders this state.
(iii) “Processor” means a natural person who sells processed food that he or she has personally prepared on land he or she owns or leases in this state or in another state’s county that borders this state.
(iv) “Reseller” means a natural person who buys agricultural products from a farmer and resells the products directly to the consumer.
(7) Any microbrewery licensed under this section may contract-produce beer for another microbrewer. This contract-production is not a sale for the purposes of RCW 66.28.170 and 66.28.180.
(8) The state board of health shall adopt rules to allow dogs on the premises of licensed microbreweries that do not provide food service subject to a food service permit requirement.
[ 2022 c 116 § 11; 2021 c 6 § 5; 2020 c 230 § 2; 2015 c 42 § 1; 2014 c 105 § 3; 2013 c 238 § 3; 2011 c 195 § 5; (2011 c 62 § 3 expired December 1, 2012). Prior: 2008 c 248 § 2; (2008 c 248 § 1 expired June 30, 2008); 2008 c 41 § 9; (2008 c 41 § 8 expired June 30, 2008); prior: 2007 c 370 § 5; (2007 c 370 § 4 expired June 30, 2008); 2007 c 222 § 2; (2007 c 222 § 1 expired June 30, 2008); 2006 c 302 § 3; 2006 c 44 § 2; prior: 2003 c 167 § 1; 2003 c 154 § 2; 1998 c 126 § 3; 1997 c 321 § 12.]

NOTES:

Expiration date—2022 c 116 §§ 2-20: See note following RCW 66.24.420.
Effective date—Finding—Intent—2022 c 116: See notes following RCW 66.24.420.
Effective date—2021 c 6: See note following RCW 66.24.140.
Expiration date—2011 c 62: See note following RCW 66.24.170.
Effective date—2008 c 248 § 2: “Section 2 of this act takes effect June 30, 2008.” [ 2008 c 248 § 4.]
Expiration date—2008 c 248 § 1: “Section 1 of this act expires June 30, 2008.” [ 2008 c 248 § 3.]
Effective date—2008 c 41 §§ 7 and 9: See note following RCW 66.24.240.
Expiration date—2008 c 41 §§ 6 and 8: See note following RCW 66.24.240.
Effective date—2007 c 370 §§ 5 and 7: “Sections 5 and 7 of this act take effect June 30, 2008.” [ 2007 c 370 § 22.]
Expiration date—2007 c 370 §§ 4 and 6: “Sections 4 and 6 of this act expire June 30, 2008.” [ 2007 c 370 § 21.]
Effective date—2007 c 222 § 2: “Section 2 of this act takes effect June 30, 2008.” [ 2007 c 222 § 5.]
Expiration date—2007 c 222 § 1: “Section 1 of this act expires June 30, 2008.” [ 2007 c 222 § 4.]
Effective date—2006 c 302: See note following RCW 66.24.170.
Effective date—2003 c 167: “This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2003.” [ 2003 c 167 § 14.]
Report to legislature—2003 c 167: See note following RCW 66.24.250.
Effective date—1998 c 126: See note following RCW 66.20.010.
Effective date—1997 c 321: See note following RCW 66.24.010.

Microbrewery’s license—Fee. (Effective December 31, 2023.)

(1)(a) There shall be a license for microbreweries; fee to be one hundred dollars for production of less than sixty thousand barrels of malt liquor, including strong beer, per year.
(b) The annual fee in (a) of this subsection is waived during the 12-month period beginning with the second calendar month after February 28, 2021, for:
(i) Licenses that expire during the 12-month waiver period under this subsection (1)(b); and
(ii) Licenses issued to persons previously licensed under this section at any time during the 12-month period prior to the 12-month waiver period under this subsection (1)(b).
(c) The waiver in (b) of this subsection does not apply to any licensee that:
(i) Had their license suspended by the board for health and safety violations of state COVID-19 guidelines; or
(ii) Received an order of immediate restraint or citation from the department of labor and industries for allowing an employee to perform work where business activity was prohibited in violation of an emergency proclamation of the governor under RCW 43.06.220.
(d) Upon request of the department of revenue, the board and the department of labor and industries must both provide a list of persons that they have determined to be ineligible for a fee waiver under (b) of this subsection for the reasons described in (c) of this subsection. Unless otherwise agreed, any list must be received by the department of revenue no later than 15 calendar days after the request is made.
(2)(a) Any microbrewery licensed under this section may also act as a distributor and/or retailer for beer and strong beer of its own production.
(b) Any microbrewery operating as a distributor and/or retailer under this subsection must comply with the applicable laws and rules relating to distributors and/or retailers, except that a microbrewery operating as a distributor may maintain a warehouse off the premises of the microbrewery for the distribution of beer provided that:
(i) The warehouse has been approved by the board under RCW 66.24.010; and
(ii) The number of warehouses off the premises of the microbrewery does not exceed one.
(c) A microbrewery holding a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license may sell beer of its own production for off-premises consumption from its restaurant premises in kegs or in a sanitary container brought to the premises by the purchaser or furnished by the licensee and filled at the tap by the licensee at the time of sale.
(3) Any microbrewery licensed under this section may also sell from its premises for on-premises and off-premises consumption:
(a) Beer produced by another microbrewery or a domestic brewery as long as the other breweries’ brands do not exceed twenty-five percent of the microbrewery’s on-tap offerings; or
(b) Cider produced by a domestic winery.
(4) The board may issue up to four retail licenses allowing a microbrewery to operate an on or off-premises tavern, beer and/or wine restaurant, spirits, beer, and wine restaurant, or any combination thereof.
(5) A microbrewery that holds a tavern license, spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license, or a beer and/or wine restaurant license holds the same privileges and endorsements as permitted under RCW 66.24.320, 66.24.330, and 66.24.420.
(6)(a) A microbrewery licensed under this section may apply to the board for an endorsement to sell bottled beer of its own production at retail for off-premises consumption at a qualifying farmers market. The annual fee for this endorsement is seventy-five dollars. However, strong beer may not be sold at a farmers market or under any endorsement which may authorize microbreweries to sell beer at farmers markets.
(b) For each month during which a microbrewery will sell beer at a qualifying farmers market, the microbrewery must provide the board or its designee a list of the dates, times, and locations at which bottled beer may be offered for sale. This list must be received by the board before the microbrewery may offer beer for sale at a qualifying farmers market.
(c) Any person selling or serving beer must obtain a class 12 or class 13 alcohol server permit.
(d) The beer sold at qualifying farmers markets must be produced in Washington.
(e) Each approved location in a qualifying farmers market is deemed to be part of the microbrewery license for the purpose of this title. The approved locations under an endorsement granted under this subsection (6) include tasting or sampling privileges subject to the conditions pursuant to RCW 66.24.175. The microbrewery may not store beer at a farmers market beyond the hours that the microbrewery offers bottled beer for sale. The microbrewery may not act as a distributor from a farmers market location.
(f) Before a microbrewery may sell bottled beer at a qualifying farmers market, the farmers market must apply to the board for authorization for any microbrewery with an endorsement approved under this subsection (6) to sell bottled beer at retail at the farmers market. This application must include, at a minimum: (i) A map of the farmers market showing all booths, stalls, or other designated locations at which an approved microbrewery may sell bottled beer; and (ii) the name and contact information for the on-site market managers who may be contacted by the board or its designee to verify the locations at which bottled beer may be sold. Before authorizing a qualifying farmers market to allow an approved microbrewery to sell bottled beer at retail at its farmers market location, the board must notify the persons or entities of the application for authorization pursuant to RCW 66.24.010 (8) and (9). An authorization granted under this subsection (6)(f) may be withdrawn by the board for any violation of this title or any rules adopted under this title.
(g) The board may adopt rules establishing the application and approval process under this section and any additional rules necessary to implement this section.
(h) For the purposes of this subsection (6):
(i) “Qualifying farmers market” has the same meaning as defined in RCW 66.24.170.
(ii) “Farmer” means a natural person who sells, with or without processing, agricultural products that he or she raises on land he or she owns or leases in this state or in another state’s county that borders this state.
(iii) “Processor” means a natural person who sells processed food that he or she has personally prepared on land he or she owns or leases in this state or in another state’s county that borders this state.
(iv) “Reseller” means a natural person who buys agricultural products from a farmer and resells the products directly to the consumer.
(7) Any microbrewery licensed under this section may contract-produce beer for another microbrewer. This contract-production is not a sale for the purposes of RCW 66.28.170 and 66.28.180.
(8) The state board of health shall adopt rules to allow dogs on the premises of licensed microbreweries that do not provide food service subject to a food service permit requirement.
[ 2021 c 6 § 5; 2020 c 230 § 2; 2015 c 42 § 1; 2014 c 105 § 3; 2013 c 238 § 3; 2011 c 195 § 5; (2011 c 62 § 3 expired December 1, 2012). Prior: 2008 c 248 § 2; (2008 c 248 § 1 expired June 30, 2008); 2008 c 41 § 9; (2008 c 41 § 8 expired June 30, 2008); prior: 2007 c 370 § 5; (2007 c 370 § 4 expired June 30, 2008); 2007 c 222 § 2; (2007 c 222 § 1 expired June 30, 2008); 2006 c 302 § 3; 2006 c 44 § 2; prior: 2003 c 167 § 1; 2003 c 154 § 2; 1998 c 126 § 3; 1997 c 321 § 12.]

NOTES:

Effective date—2021 c 6: See note following RCW 66.24.140.
Expiration date—2011 c 62: See note following RCW 66.24.170.
Effective date—2008 c 248 § 2: “Section 2 of this act takes effect June 30, 2008.” [ 2008 c 248 § 4.]
Expiration date—2008 c 248 § 1: “Section 1 of this act expires June 30, 2008.” [ 2008 c 248 § 3.]
Effective date—2008 c 41 §§ 7 and 9: See note following RCW 66.24.240.
Expiration date—2008 c 41 §§ 6 and 8: See note following RCW 66.24.240.
Effective date—2007 c 370 §§ 5 and 7: “Sections 5 and 7 of this act take effect June 30, 2008.” [ 2007 c 370 § 22.]
Expiration date—2007 c 370 §§ 4 and 6: “Sections 4 and 6 of this act expire June 30, 2008.” [ 2007 c 370 § 21.]
Effective date—2007 c 222 § 2: “Section 2 of this act takes effect June 30, 2008.” [ 2007 c 222 § 5.]
Expiration date—2007 c 222 § 1: “Section 1 of this act expires June 30, 2008.” [ 2007 c 222 § 4.]
Effective date—2006 c 302: See note following RCW 66.24.170.
Effective date—2003 c 167: “This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2003.” [ 2003 c 167 § 14.]
Report to legislature—2003 c 167: See note following RCW 66.24.250.
Effective date—1998 c 126: See note following RCW 66.20.010.
Effective date—1997 c 321: See note following RCW 66.24.010.
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