CT Shakes Up Liquor Laws Big Time

HARTFORD, CT — A recently-passed law will be a big boon to the microbrewery industry in Connecticut. The law officially known as An Act Streamlining the Liquor Control Act will make it easier for the small businesses to sell directly to consumers. Gov. Ned Lamont signed the bill on June 5.

The act will allow beer manufacturers to sell up to nine gallons (about 72 cans) a day per-person for off-premises consumption. That is up from nine liters.

“Passage of this bill is great news for brewers, small business owners, and consumers statewide,” said Phil Pappas, Executive Director of the Connecticut Brewers Guild. “It represents the most significant updates to craft beer and alcohol laws since the Prohibition-era.”

Breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries will be able to manufacture beer, wine, cider and spirits under one business.

The bill passed the House and Senate by near-unanimous margins.

Cider manufacturers will be allowed to sell cider and apple wine for on-premises consumption.

It will also establish a craft cafe permit that will allow permittees to sell other Connecticut-manufactured alcohol for on-premises consumption.

Liquor permitees will be able to hold both a manufacturer permit and a craft cafe permit or a restaurant permit.

It will also streamline the permitting structure by turning nine manufacturer permits into three.

Pappas said the craft beer industry in Connecticut supports more than 4,600 full and part-time jobs in the state and has nearly $750 million in economic impact. Check out the list ofbreweries here.