Georgia § 3-15-2 - Terms and conditions for limited tasting events.

§ 3-15-2. Terms and conditions for limited tasting events.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, in all counties and municipalities in which the sale of alcoholic beverages is lawful, retail package liquor stores shall be authorized to conduct up to 52 tasting events per calendar year, subject to the following terms and conditions: A tasting event shall only take place on the licensed premises and only at times at which such alcoholic beverages may be lawfully sold on such licensed premises; Only one tasting event per day may be held on the licensed premises and such tasting event shall not exceed four hours; Only one type of alcoholic beverage may be served at a tasting event, either malt beverages, wine, or distilled spirits; provided, however, that more than one brand of such type of alcoholic beverage may be offered so long as not more than four packages are open at any one time; If the tasting event is for malt beverages, a consumer shall not be served more than eight ounces of malt beverages during such tasting event. If the tasting event is for wine, a consumer shall not be served more than five ounces of wine during such tasting event. If the tasting event is for distilled spirits, a consumer shall not be served more than one and one-half ounces of distilled spirits during such tasting event; Only alcoholic beverages that the licensee is licensed to sell on the licensed premises may be offered as part of a tasting event, and such alcoholic beverages shall be part of the licensee's inventory; Only food that is lawful to sell on the licensed premises, under this title or under any rules or regulations of the commissioner, may be served as part of a tasting event. Such food shall be offered at no cost to the consumer; Any operator or employee of the licensee may refuse to provide any brand, type, or quantity of alcoholic beverage to any consumer; The licensee shall notify the governing authority of the county or municipality in which the licensed premises is located prior to holding a tasting event; Any broken package containing alcoholic beverages on the licensed premises that is not licensed for retail sales for consumption on the premises shall be kept locked in a secure room or cabinet by the operator of the licensed premises except when in use during a tasting event; Representatives and salespersons of manufacturers or wholesalers may attend a tasting event; provided, however, that such representatives and salespersons shall not host the tasting event, pour any alcoholic beverage, or provide anything of value to any consumer or to the licensee or an employee of a licensee; and Any other terms, conditions, and limitations as may be required or imposed by the governing authority of the county or municipality in which the licensed premises is located. (Code 1981, § 3-15-2 , enacted by Ga. L. 2020, p. 615, § 7/HB 879.)