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The Liquor & Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) has announced several positive changes to BC liquor manufacturer licensing terms. LCRB bulletins 24-02, 24-03 and 24-04 reduce many restrictions and provide manufacturers with more flexibility that enhances tours and services for visitors to BC wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries.
Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, said in an April 5th news release that “recent years have been difficult for wineries and tourism across the province, and we are taking action to support these valuable businesses”, adding that “The changes we are making will create better experiences for visitors of wineries and liquor manufacturers across the province, helping them – and all of B.C. – to be a more competitive and desirable destination for visitors.”
The following is a summary of these bulletins. For the exact language and further details, please refer directly to the bulletins, Manufacturer License Terms and Conditions, Liquor Policy Manual, and the LCRB on-site store endorsements page.
Bulletin 24-02: Sales in a Manufacturer Picnic Area
Amendments now allow two types of areas under a picnic area endorsement: one sale area and one or more consumption-only areas.
- The sale area can be no more than 300 square metres.
- No more than 30 people are permitted in the sale area at one time and maximum capacity must be posted for visitors to see.
- Sale and service of liquor in the picnic area is permitted between 9am and 6pm or one half-hour after sunset, whichever is earlier.
- The sale area must have temporary, removable furnishings such as picnic tables and umbrellas.
- The sale area must have clearly marked boundaries separating it from the consumption area and other areas of the site.
Source: LCRB bulletin 24-02: Sales in a manufacturer picnic area
Bulletin 24-03: Update to Packaged Sales from an On-Site Store
BC liquor manufacturers with an on-site store endorsement may now:
- Sell packaged liquor almost anywhere on the manufacturing site. Packaged liquor sales must still be attributed to the on-site store endorsement.
- Packaged liquor sales are not permitted in picnic consumption-only areas or in co-located businesses, other than a food-primary or liquor-primary establishment that is held by the same licensee.
Source: LCRB bulletin 24-03: Update to packaged sales from a manufacturer on-site store
Bulletin 24-04: Update to Guided Tours & Sampling at a Manufacturer Site
Guided Tours
BC liquor manufacturers may now vary the route of a guided tour on the manufacturing site.
Example: a manufacturer may want to tour different areas of a vineyard depending on the season.
Seating at intervals during a guided tour is now allowed but must be supervised by a tour guide.
Example: during a tour, the manufacturer may want to provide a short education session and serve samples to seated patrons.
Packaged liquor sales from the manufacturer’s on-site store are now permitted on a guided tour Example: patrons on the tour may purchase packaged liquor and make payment via a mobile-point-of-sale system.
Samples
Limits on the volume of samples that may be sold to each patron each day have been increased as follows:
- Winery: multiple-servings (e.g. flights) are permitted to a total maximum of 10 oz (284 ml) per patron per day.
- Brewery/Cidery: multiple-servings (e.g. flights) are permitted to a total maximum of 24 oz (682 ml) per person per day.
- Distillery: Multiple servings (e.g. flights) are permitted to a total maximum of 3 oz (85 ml) per patron per day. The volume limits do not include any mix (e.g. tonic water) added to the samples.
Source: LCRB bulletin 24-04: Update to guided tours and sampling at a manufacturer site
Get Help Understanding & Implementing Updates to License Terms
If you find updated liquor licensing terms and conditions confusing or would like help implementing liquor manufacturer picnic area endorsements correctly, Thrive Liquor & Cannabis Advisors can help! Our liquor licensing consultants can provide the clarity and guidance you need to succeed!
