Many spirit distilleries across the state of California are uniting to push a bill titled 'Taste California.' The bill would allow spirit distilleries the same access to the public as wineries and breweries with tasting rooms and tasting events. The assembly bill AB 2229 was scheduled for hearing in April but was tabled by the author.
In January of 2011 AD 605 was signed into law known as California Instructional Tastings bill which allowed all liquor stores and supermarkets that already serve distilled spirits the ability to conduct tastings of distilled spirits on their premises. Soon-there-after AB1040 was singed in August 2011 removing the requirement that breweries must operate a restaurant in order to operate a tasting/sales room on their facility.
By September 2011 SB 32 was signed recognizing infused spirits as an artisan practice allowing bars and restaurants the ability to infuse their own spirits for use in cocktails or tastings without having to TTB distilled spirits formulation approval process that all California Distilled Spirit Plants (DSP's) must adhere to.
Currently there are 3 distilled spirit distilleries in our area; Placerville, Plymouth, and Angels Camp.
By,
Charity Maness
