May 31, 2013
Liquor distillers in Texas will be able to sell their wares on site thanks to a bill signed into law by the governor.
Senate Bill 905 — authored by State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio — enables a distiller’s and rectifier’s permit holder to sell distilled spirits to consumers for consumption on the permitted premises and off the property.
Stakeholders were consulted during work sessions in 2012 to formulate effective legislation and included the likes of Austin’s Tito’s Handmade Vodka and rum-making Treaty Oak Distillery, and San Antonio’s whiskey-making Ranger Creek Brewing & Distillery.
Van de Putte, along with other lawmakers, also championed legislation to provide similar opportunities to craft beer brewers.
Another bill of Van de Putte’s, SB 642, also signed into law, will permit a distiller’s and rectifier’s permit holder to sell bulk alcohol to holders of industrial permits. Previously, the holder of an industrial permit could only buy distilled spirits at retail establishments for use in food production.
SB 652, again by Van de Putte and currently waiting for the governor’s signature, aims to allow the transfer of alcoholic beverages for manufacturing purposes between certain permit and license holders. Under current law, a distillery may only buy bulk distilled spirits from out-of-state distilleries.
Source: Austin Business Journal