The very next day after we published what is now Part 1: Legal FAQs for Reopening CA Restaurants, Brewpubs and Tasting Rooms (available here), the California ABC continued its updates. In this latest round, ABC:
1. Provided two updates to its First and Fourth Notices of Regulatory Relief (discussed below), and
2. Provided some additional FAQs on how California bars, wineries, breweries and distilleries can sell drink to-go in connection with meals utilizing the new Covid-19 Temporary Catering Authorization, which our post also discussed. These FAQs outline some technical updates to the application process (which we won’t address here), but we do want to summarize a few additional points we have been getting questions about:
Read MoreOn Friday May 22, 2020 John sat down with Kim Badenfort of the Wine Industry Advisor to discuss the firehose of information coming from the ABC over the last few weeks. John first observed there was so much coming at the industry from the ABC it was difficult for even the most attentive industry member to absorb the information; much less the implications of the proposals.
In summary, John observed:
Read MoreThe ABC “Emergency Rules” – Second Round Comments to Office of Administrative Law Due by Tuesday May 25, 2020
We lost Round One - The ABC Ignored the Comments Submitted
This is the second blog dealing with the ABC’s new proposed rules changing the process for administrative hearings to adjudicate violations of the ABC Act. We (and many others) submitted comments to the ABC by the Monday May 18th ABC comment deadline.
Read MoreAs California begins the process of easing up on its March 19 Stay-at-Home Order (Order; FAQ Directives), there are a lot of unknowns about how it’s actually going to work for hospitality businesses, which inherently involve interactions between strangers. But don’t worry, we’re California after all, so we will fight the pandemic in the most California way possible. The road will be winding and full of regulatory potholes, buts it’s all designed to keep us safe and our famed hospitality and restaurant industries humming. Below is an overview of the regulatory framework that has been put in place as we ease back into contact with one another, and what it means for your business.
Read MoreOn Friday, May 15th, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (the “ABC”) issued another round of temporary relief. For those of you counting, this is the fourth round of temporary relief for licensees. This latest round includes a significant opportunity for licensees to temporarily expand their licensed footprints so they can serve more people and serve them outside where it will be safer while the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
This round of relief also expands sale privileges for type 50, 51, and 52 members-only clubs.
Here are the details:
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