Chapter 18B - Article 11

Article 11.

Commercial Activity.

§ 18B-1100. Commercial permits.

The Commission may issue the following commercial permits:

(1) Unfortified winery

(2) Fortified winery

(3) Limited winery

(4) Brewery

(5) Distillery

(6) Fuel alcohol

(7) Wine importer

(8) Wine wholesaler

(9) Malt beverages importer

(10) Malt beverages wholesaler

(11) Bottler

(12) Salesman

(13) Vendor representative

(14) Nonresident malt beverage vendor

(15) Nonresident wine vendor

(16) Winery special show

(17) Liquor importer/bottler permit

(18) Cider and vinegar manufacturer

(19) Wine producer permit

(20) Malt beverage special event permit.

(21) Spirituous liquor special event permit.

(22) Nonresident spirituous liquor vendor permit.

(23) Airport central storage permit. (1981, c. 412, s. 2; c. 747, s. 59; 1989, c. 737, s. 1; 1995, c. 404, s. 3; 1997-134, s. 1; 2001-262, s. 8; 2001-487, s. 49(g); 2009-377, s. 3; 2021-150, ss. 6.4(a), 19.3.)

§ 18B-1101. Authorization of unfortified winery permit.

The holder of an unfortified winery permit may:

(1) Manufacture unfortified wine;

(2) Sell, deliver and ship unfortified wine in closed containers to wholesalers licensed under this Chapter as authorized by the ABC laws, except that wine may be sold to exporters and nonresident wholesalers only when the purchase is not for resale in this State;

(2a) Receive, in closed containers, unfortified wine produced inside or outside North Carolina under the winery's label from grapes, berries, or other fruits owned by the winery, and sell, deliver, and ship that wine to wholesalers, exporters, and nonresident wholesalers in the same manner as its wine manufactured in North Carolina. This provision may be used only by a winery during its first three years of operation or when there is substantial damage to its grapes, berries, or other fruits from catastrophic crop loss. This provision may be used only three years out of every 10 years and notice must be given to the Commission each time this provision is used;

(3) Ship its wine in closed containers to individual purchasers inside and outside this State in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 18B-1001, 18B-1001.1, and 18B-1001.2, and other applicable provisions of this Chapter;

(4) Furnish or sell "short-filled" packages, on which State taxes have been or will be paid, to its employees for the use of the employees or their families and guests in this State;

(5) Regardless of the results of any local wine election, sell the wine owned by the winery at the winery for on- or off-premise consumption upon obtaining the appropriate permit under G.S. 18B-1001;

(6) Sell the wine manufactured by the winery or produced under the winery's label under subdivision (2a) of this section for on- or off-premise consumption at no more than three other locations in the State, upon obtaining the appropriate permit under G.S. 18B-1001;

(6a) Receive, in closed containers, and sell at the winery, unfortified wine produced inside or outside North Carolina under contract with the winery. Such contract wine must have the winery's name clearly displayed on each bottle. The contract wine may be sold also at affiliated retail outlets of the winery physically located on or adjacent to the winery. Any wine received by a winery under this provision must be made available for sale by the winery to wholesalers for distribution to retailers, without discrimination, in the same manner as if the wine were being imported by the winery;

(7) Obtain a wine wholesaler permit to sell, deliver, and ship at wholesale unfortified wine manufactured at the winery. The authorization of this subdivision applies only to a winery that annually sells, to persons other than exporters and nonresident wholesalers when the purchase is not for resale in this State, no more than 100,000 gallons of unfortified wine manufactured by it at the winery;

(8) Allow winemaking on premises as allowed by a permit issued pursuant to G.S. 18B-1001(17).

A sale under subdivision (4) shall not be considered a retail or wholesale sale under the ABC laws. (1973, c. 511, ss. 1, 2; 1975, c. 411, s. 6; 1979, c. 224; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; c. 747, s. 60; 1985, c. 89, s. 4; 1989, c. 800, s. 2; 2001-262, s. 2; 2001-487, s. 49(b); 2002-102, s. 2; 2003-402, s. 6; 2004-135, s. 2; 2004-199, s. 11; 2007-402, s. 3.)

§ 18B-1102. Authorization of fortified winery permit.

The holder of a fortified winery permit may:

(1) Manufacture, purchase, import and transport brandy and other ingredients and equipment used in the manufacture of fortified wine;

(2) Sell, deliver and ship fortified wine in closed containers to wholesalers licensed under this Chapter as authorized by the ABC laws, except that wine may be sold to exporters and nonresident wholesalers only when the purchase is not for resale in this State;

(4) Furnish or sell "short-filled" packages, on which State taxes have been or will be paid, to its employees for the use of the employees or their families and guests in this State;

(5) Regardless of the results of any local wine election, sell the winery's wine for on-or off-premise consumption upon obtaining the appropriate permit under G.S. 18B-1001.

A sale under subdivision (4) shall not be considered a retail or wholesale sale under the ABC laws. (1945, c. 903, s. 1; 1947, c. 1098, ss. 2, 3; 1949, c. 974, s. 1; 1957, cc. 1048, 1448; 1963, c. 426, ss. 10, 12; c. 460, s. 1; 1971, c. 872, s. 1; 1973, c. 476, s. 128; 1975, c. 411, s. 6; c. 586, s. 1; c. 654, ss. 1, 2; c. 722, s. 1; 1977, c. 70, s. 19; c. 182, s. 1; c. 511, ss. 1, 2; c. 669, ss. 1, 2; c. 676, ss. 1, 2; c. 911; 1979, c. 224; c. 348, ss. 2, 3; c. 683, ss. 5, 6, 11, 12; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; c. 747, s. 60; 1985, c. 89, s. 5; 1989, c. 800, s. 3; 2003-402, s. 7.)

§ 18B-1103. (Repealed) Authorization of limited winery permit. (1981, c. 412, s. 2; c. 747, s. 61; repealed by 2022-44, s. 1, effective July 7, 2022.)

§ 18B-1104. Authorization of brewery permit.

(a) Authorized Acts. - The holder of a brewery permit may:

(1) Manufacture malt beverages.

(2) Purchase malt, hops and other ingredients used in the manufacture of malt beverages.

(3) Sell, deliver and ship malt beverages in closed containers to wholesalers licensed under this Chapter as authorized by the ABC laws, except that malt beverages may be sold to exporters and nonresident wholesalers only when the purchase is not for resale in this State. However, nothing in this subdivision shall prohibit the holder of a brewery permit from selling malt beverages to a nonresident wholesaler, nonresident malt beverage vendor, bottler, or other similar party for resale in this State if the malt beverages are shipped from the brewery to wholesalers licensed under this Chapter.

(4) Receive malt beverages manufactured by the permittee in some other state for transshipment to (i) dealers in other states or (ii) wholesalers licensed under this Chapter as authorized by the ABC laws.

(5) Furnish or sell marketable malt beverage products, or packages which do not conform to the manufacturer's marketing standards, if State taxes have been or will be paid, to its employees for the use of the employees or their families and guests in this State.

(6) Give its products to customers, visitors, and employees for consumption on its premises. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed as excluding customers and visitors at the brewery as part of a paid or complimentary tour of the brewery.

(6a) Receive, in closed containers, and sell at the brewery, malt beverages produced inside or outside North Carolina under contract with a contract brewery. The contract brewery that manufactures the malt beverages shall be responsible for all aspects associated with manufacturing the product, subject to the rules of the Commission and the Department of Revenue. The brewery, not the contract brewery, shall be responsible for registering the contracted product with the Commission, submitting the appropriate reports regarding the malt beverages, and remitting the appropriate taxes if required by those rules. The contract malt beverages may be sold also at affiliated retail outlets of the brewery physically located on or adjacent to the brewery. Any malt beverages received from a contract brewery under this subdivision shall be made available for sale by the brewery to wholesalers for distribution to retailers, without discrimination, in the same manner as if the malt beverages were being imported by the brewery. Contract brewing is authorized between affiliated breweries, but shall not be used as a means to allocate production quantities between affiliated breweries to obtain a malt beverage wholesaler permit pursuant to subdivision (8) of this subsection where either brewery would not otherwise qualify for a permit, and the Commission shall have no authority to grant an exemption to this requirement pursuant to G.S. 18B-1116(b).

(7) In an area where the sale of any type of alcoholic beverage is authorized by law, and upon receiving the appropriate permit under G.S. 18B-1001, sell at the brewery, and any additional retail location authorized under subdivision (8) of this subsection, any or all of the following:

a. The brewery's malt beverages that have been approved by the Commission for sale in North Carolina.

b. Malt beverages manufactured by the permittee in some other state that have been approved by the Commission for sale in North Carolina.

c. Any other alcoholic beverages approved by the Commission for sale in North Carolina, if sale of the alcoholic beverage is otherwise authorized in that area.

(7a) Repealed by Session Laws 2019-182, s. 21(a), effective October 1, 2019.

(7b) Regardless of the results of any local malt beverage election, sell the malt beverages owned by the brewery at the brewery for on- or off-premise consumption upon obtaining the appropriate permit under G.S. 18B-1001.

(8) Obtain a malt beverage wholesaler permit to sell, deliver, and ship at wholesale up to 50,000 barrels of malt beverages manufactured by the brewery per year to unaffiliated retail permittees. The authorization of this subdivision applies to a brewery that sells, to consumers at the brewery, to wholesalers, to retailers, and to exporters, fewer than 100,000 barrels of malt beverages produced by it per year. The barrelage limitations set forth in this subdivision apply regardless of the number or type of permits that may be issued to a brewery under this Chapter. A brewery not exceeding the sales quantity limitations in this subdivision may also sell the malt beverages manufactured by the brewery, and malt beverages produced under subdivision (6a) of this subsection, at not more than three other locations in the State, where the sale is legal, upon obtaining the appropriate permits under G.S. 18B-1001. A brewery operating any additional retail location pursuant to this subdivision under a different trade name than that used at the brewery shall also offer for sale at that location a reasonable selection of competitive malt beverage products. A sale at any additional retail location under this subdivision shall not be considered a wholesale sale for the purposes of Article 13 of this Chapter. Except as provided in G.S. 18B-1116(b), the Commission shall have no authority to grant an exemption to or otherwise allow a brewery permittee more than the three additional retail locations authorized by this subdivision. Malt beverages manufactured by a supplier permittee that owns five percent (5%) or more of a brewery permittee acting under the authority granted in this subdivision shall be included in determining whether the brewery permittee complies with the barrelage limitations set forth in this subdivision.

(b) Sales or Gifts. - A sale or gift under subdivision (5) or (6) of subsection (a) of this section shall not be considered a retail or wholesale sale under the ABC laws.

(c) Tax Compliance. - By October 1 of each year, the Commission shall confirm that the holder of a brewery permit is in compliance with G.S. 18B-900(a)(8). The provisions of G.S. 18B-900(f) apply to the confirmation required under this subsection, except that the Commission may suspend a person's brewery permit until the Commission receives notice from the Department of Revenue that the person is in compliance.

(d) Sales Report Upon Commission Request. - Within 60 days of a request by the Commission, a holder of a brewery permit who obtains a malt beverage wholesaler permit pursuant to subdivision (8) of subsection (a) of this section shall provide a sales report to the Commission. The report shall list separately all of the following for the 12-month period preceding the date of the request:

(1) The number of barrels of malt beverages sold by the permit holder that were produced by the permit holder.

(2) The quantity and dollar amount of malt beverages sold by the permit holder under subdivision (7) of subsection (a) of this section.

(3) The quantity and dollar amount of malt beverages sold on-premises under subdivision (8) of subsection (a) of this section.

(4) The quantity and dollar amount of malt beverages sold off-premises under subdivision (8) of subsection (a) of this section.

(5) The quantity and dollar amount of malt beverages sold under G.S. 18B-1114.5.

(6) The quantity and dollar amount of malt beverages destroyed, spoiled, or otherwise rendered unsalable.

The Commission shall not request more than one sales report from a brewery within a 12-month period. The Commission shall keep all information provided pursuant to this subsection confidential except as required by law or requested by the Department of Revenue. The information shall not be a public record under Chapter 132 of the General Statutes.

(e) Definition. - For purposes of this section, the term "barrels" is as defined in G.S. 81A-9. (1945, c. 903, s. 1; 1947, c. 1098, ss. 2, 3; 1949, c. 974, s. 1; 1957, cc. 1048, 1448; 1963, c. 426, ss. 10, 12; c. 460, s. 1; 1971, c. 872, s. 1; 1973, c. 476, s. 128; 1975, c. 586, s. 1; c. 654, ss. 1, 2; c. 722, s. 1; 1977, c. 70, s. 19; c. 182, s. 1; c. 669, ss. 1, 2; c. 676, ss. 1, 2; c. 911; 1979, c. 348, ss. 2, 3; c. 683, ss. 5, 6, 11, 12; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; 1985, c. 596, s. 2; 1989, c. 800, s. 4; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 920, s. 9; 1993, c. 415, s. 20; 2003-430, s. 1; 2004-203, s. 29; 2011-107, s. 2; 2011-419, s. 1; 2015-98, s. 7; 2017-87, ss. 8, 12-16(a); 2019-18, s. 2; 2019-182, ss. 8(a), 21(a).)

§ 18B-1105. Authorization of distillery permit.

(a) The holder of a distillery permit may do any of the following:

(1) Manufacture, purchase, import, possess and transport ingredients and equipment used in the distillation or production of spirituous liquor. The authorization to possess ingredients set forth in this subdivision includes the possession of spirituous liquor not distilled or produced at the distillery that is used for the production, research and development, or sample comparison of spirituous liquor.

(2) Sell, deliver and ship spirituous liquor in closed containers at wholesale to (i) exporters and local boards within the State, and, (ii) subject to the laws of other jurisdictions, at wholesale or retail to consumers in other states or nations, or private or public agencies or establishments of other states or nations, except that the holder of a distillery permit may not sell, deliver, or ship spirituous liquor at retail to consumers in jurisdictions that require reciprocity in order to allow such sales, deliveries, or shipments.

(3) Transport into or out of the distillery the maximum amount of liquor allowed under federal law, if the transportation is related to the distilling process.

(4) Sell spirituous liquor distilled or produced at the distillery in closed containers to visitors who tour the distillery for consumption off the premises. The length, content, and other parameters of the tour shall be at the discretion of the distillery, and the distillery shall not be required to maintain records related to tours. Sales under this subdivision are allowed only in a county where the establishment of a county or municipal ABC store has been approved pursuant to G.S. 18B-602(g) and may occur between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M. on Monday through Saturday of each week, from 12:00 noon to 9:00 P.M. on Sundays, and from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. on each of the following holidays that do not fall on a Sunday: New Year's Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving Day. Spirituous liquor sold under this subdivision shall (i) be listed as a code item for sale in the State, (ii) be sold at the price set by the Commission for the code item pursuant to G.S. 18B-804(b), and (iii) have affixed to its bottle any labeling requirements set by law. A bottle of spirituous liquor sold under this subdivision may have personalized labeling. The personalized labeling shall comply with any other labeling requirements set by law. The personalized labeling shall not cover any portion of the manufacturer's original label. For purposes of this subdivision, the term "personalized labeling" means the inclusion of any of the following on the label:

a. The name of the purchaser of the bottle or the name of any individual, business entity, or club on whose behalf the bottle is purchased.

b. "Bottled for," "distilled for," "in honor of," or other similar language.

c. Dates, locations, occasions, and other similar information.

(4a) In an area where the sale of mixed beverages is authorized by law, sell mixed beverages for consumption on the premises, or for consumption off the premises in accordance with the requirements for sale for consumption off the premises described in G.S. 18B-1001(10). If a distillery elects to sell mixed beverages containing spirituous liquor other than that produced at the distillery, the distillery shall obtain a mixed beverages permit pursuant to G.S. 18B-1001.

(4b) If the distillery is located on a property used for bona fide farm purposes, as defined in G.S. 160D-102(3), sell mixed beverages containing only spirituous liquor produced at the distillery for consumption on the premises, or for consumption off the premises in accordance with the requirements for sale for consumption off the premises described in G.S. 18B-1001(10), regardless of the results of any local mixed beverage election.

(4c) In an area where the sale of mixed beverages has not been approved by a local election, sell mixed beverages containing only spirituous liquor produced at the distillery for consumption on the premises, or for consumption off the premises in accordance with the requirements for sale for consumption off the premises described in G.S. 18B-1001(10), upon obtaining a mixed beverages permit under G.S. 18B-1001.

(5) Conduct consumer tastings, sell mixed beverages, and provide spirituous liquor in closed containers in accordance with G.S. 18B-1114.7.

(6) Sell malt beverages, unfortified wine, and fortified wine, for consumption on the premises upon obtaining the appropriate permit under G.S. 18B-1001.

(b) Distilleries for Fuel Alcohol. - Any person in possession of a Federal Operating Permit pursuant to Title 27, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 19 (April 1, 2010 Edition), shall obtain a fuel alcohol permit before manufacturing any alcohol. The permit shall entitle the permittee to perform only those acts allowed by the Federal Operating Permit, and all conditions of the Federal Operating Permit shall apply to the State permit.

(c) Tax Compliance. - By October 1 of each year, the Commission shall confirm the holder of a distillery permit is in compliance with G.S. 18B-900(a)(8). The provisions of G.S. 18B-900(f) apply to the confirmation required under this subsection, except that the Commission may suspend a person's distillery permit until the Commission receives notice from the Department of Revenue that the person is in compliance.

(d) Control of Location of Sale and Consumption on Premises. - Notwithstanding G.S. 18B-301(e), except as otherwise prohibited by federal law or the holder of the distillery permit, an alcoholic beverage authorized to be sold or consumed under this section may be sold, possessed, or consumed on any part of the licensed premises of the distillery that is open to the public. This subsection shall not be construed to allow spirituous liquor in closed containers sold for off-premises consumption to be consumed at the distillery. (1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1329, s. 1; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; 1989, c. 800, s. 5; 2012-201, s. 10; 2015-98, s. 4(a); 2015-262, s. 3(a); 2017-87, ss. 1(a), 16(b); 2019-182, ss. 1(b), 2, 4(a); 2021-117, ss. 12(c), 12(d); 2021-150, ss. 2.2, 6.1(a), 6.2(h), 8.1, 9.1(a), 9.3(a), 18.1; 2022-44, s. 8; 2022-51, ss. 2, 6; 2024-41, s. 5(d).)

§ 18B-1105.1. Authorization of liquor importer/bottler permit.

The holder of a liquor importer/bottler permit may:

(1) Receive spirituous liquor in closed containers into foreign trade zones at the State Port facilities in Morehead City and Wilmington from ships docked at the State Port facilities for the purpose of bottling, packaging, or labeling.

(2) Bottle, package, or label in this State spirituous liquor imported or received into a foreign trade zone pursuant to this section.

(3) Receive spirituous liquor in closed containers into the foreign trade zones at the State Port facilities in Morehead City and Wilmington from ships docked at the State Port facilities for storage, sale, shipment, and transshipment to the State or a local ABC board warehouse or, subject to the laws of other jurisdictions, to private or public agencies or establishments of other states or nations.

(4) Subject to the record-keeping requirements of G.S. 18B-1115, transport into or out of the foreign trade zones at the State Port facilities in Morehead City and Wilmington, the maximum amount of liquor allowed under federal law, if the transportation is related to the bottling, packaging, labeling, sale, or storage permitted by this section.

(5) Receive spirituous liquor in closed containers into the State for storage, sale, shipment, and transshipment to the State warehouse or, subject to the laws of other jurisdictions, to private or public agencies or establishments of other states or nations. (1995, c. 404, s. 1; 2024-41, s. 21(d).)

§ 18B-1106. Authorization of wine importer permit.

(a) Authorization. - The holder of a wine importer permit may do all of the following:

(1) Import fortified and unfortified wines from outside the United States in closed containers.

(2) Store those wines.

(3) Sell those wines to wine wholesalers for purposes of resale.

(4) Receive fortified and unfortified wine into the State for storage, sale, shipment, or transshipment to private or public entities or establishments of other states or nations, subject to the laws thereof.

(b) Distribution Agreements. - Wine distribution agreements are governed by Article 12 of this Chapter.

(c) The holder of a wine importer permit may import and sell to wholesalers only wine for which it is a primary American source of supply. To be considered a primary American source of supply, a wine importer must establish that it has lawfully purchased the wine from the winery, or from an agent of the winery, and by written contract or otherwise has been authorized by the winery to distribute the wine to wholesalers in the United States. (1945, c. 903, s. 1; 1947, c. 1098, ss. 2, 3; 1949, c. 974, s. 1; 1957, cc. 1048, 1448; 1963, c. 426, ss. 10, 12; c. 460, s. 1; 1971, c. 872, s. 1; 1973, c. 476, s. 128; 1975, c. 586, s. 1; c. 654, ss. 1, 2; c. 722, s. 1; 1977, c. 70, s. 19; c. 182, s. 1; c. 669, ss. 1, 2; c. 676, ss. 1, 2; c. 911; 1979, c. 348, ss. 2, 3; c. 683, ss. 5, 6, 11, 12; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; 1983, c. 85, s. 1; 1993, c. 415, s. 21; 2006-227, s. 11; 2024-41, s. 21(a).)

§ 18B-1107. Authorization of wine wholesaler permit.

(a) Authorization. - The holder of a wine wholesaler permit may:

(1) Receive, possess and transport shipments of fortified and unfortified wine. The wine must be received from one of the following:

a. A primary American source of supply for that wine as recognized by the Commission or as verified by the wholesaler.

b. A licensed North Carolina wholesaler who received the wine from a primary American source of supply and with whom the second wholesaler has a subcontracting agreement for distribution of the wine.

c. Another wholesaler from whom the purchasing wholesaler is purchasing the wholesaler's business or from whom the wholesaler is purchasing the brand or distribution rights for the wine being received.

d. Another wholesaler who also has distribution rights for the wine being received and from whom the wholesaler is acquiring the wine in order to address a temporary inventory shortage.

(2) Sell, deliver and ship wine in closed containers for purposes of resale to wholesalers or retailers licensed under this Chapter as authorized by the ABC laws.

(3) Furnish and sell wine to its employees, subject to the rules of the Commission and the Department of Revenue.

(4) In locations where the sale is legal, furnish wine to guests and any other person who does not hold an ABC permit, for promotional purposes, subject to rules of the Commission.

(5) Sell out-of-date unfortified and fortified wines to holders of cider and vinegar manufacturer permits, provided that each bottle is marked "out-of-date" by the wholesaler.

(b) Distribution Agreements. - Wine distribution agreements are governed by Article 12 of this Chapter. (1945, c. 903, s. 1; 1947, c. 1098, ss. 2, 3; 1949, c. 974, s. 1; 1957, cc. 1048, 1448; 1963, c. 426, ss. 10, 12; c. 460, s. 1; 1971, c. 872, s. 1; 1973, c. 476, s. 128; 1975, c. 586, s. 1; c. 654, ss. 1, 2; c. 722, s. 1; 1977, c. 70, s. 19; c. 182, s. 1; c. 669, ss. 1, 2; c. 676, ss. 1, 2; c. 911; 1979, c. 348, ss. 2, 3; c. 683, ss. 5, 6, 11, 12; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; 1983, c. 85, s. 1; 1997-134, s. 4; 2006-227, s. 12.)

§ 18B-1108. Authorization of malt beverages importer permit.

The holder of a malt beverages importer permit may do all of the following:

(1) Import malt beverages from outside the United States in closed containers.

(2) Store those malt beverages.

(3) Sell those malt beverages to malt beverage wholesalers for purposes of resale.

(4) Receive malt beverages into the State for storage, sale, shipment, or transshipment to private or public entities or establishments of other states or nations, subject to the laws thereof. (1945, c. 903, s. 1; 1947, c. 1098, ss. 2, 3; 1949, c. 974, s. 1; 1957, cc. 1048, 1448; 1963, c. 426, ss. 10, 12; c. 460, s. 1; 1971, c. 872, s. 1; 1973, c. 476, s. 128; 1975, c. 586, s. 1; c. 654, ss. 1, 2; c. 722, s. 1; 1977, c. 70, s. 19; c. 182, s. 1; c. 669, ss. 1, 2; c. 676, ss. 1, 2; c. 911; 1979, c. 348, ss. 2, 3; c. 683, ss. 5, 6, 11, 12; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; 1993, c. 415, s. 22; 2024-41, s. 21(b).)

§ 18B-1109. Authorization of malt beverages wholesaler permit.

(a) Authorization. - The holder of a malt beverages wholesaler permit may:

(1) Receive, possess and transport shipments of malt beverages;

(2) Sell, deliver and ship, in closed containers and in quantities of one case or container or more, malt beverages of any brand filed pursuant to G.S. 18B-1303(a), to wholesalers or retailers licensed under this Chapter, as authorized by the ABC laws;

(3) Furnish and sell malt beverages filed pursuant to G.S. 18B-1303(a) to its employees subject to the rules of the Commission and the Department of Revenue;

(4) In locations where the sale is legal, furnish malt beverages of any brand filed pursuant to G.S. 18B-1303(a) to guests and any other person who does not hold an ABC permit, for promotional purposes, subject to the rules of the Commission.

(b) Repealed by Session Laws 1989, c. 142, s. 3. (1945, c. 903, s. 1; 1947, c. 1098, ss. 2, 3; 1949, c. 974, s. 1; 1957, cc. 1048, 1448; 1963, c. 426, ss. 10, 12; c. 460, s. 1; 1971, c. 872, s. 1; 1973, c. 476, s. 128; 1975, c. 586, s. 1; c. 654, ss. 1, 2; c. 722, s. 1; 1977, c. 70, s. 19; c. 182, s. 1; c. 669, ss. 1, 2; c. 676, ss. 1, 2; c. 911; 1979, c. 348, ss. 2, 3; c. 683, ss. 5, 6, 11, 12; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; c. 747, s. 62; 1989, c. 142, s. 3; 1991, c. 459, s. 8.)

§ 18B-1110. Authorization of bottler permit.

(a) Authorization. - The holder of a bottler permit may:

(1) Receive, possess and transport shipments of malt beverages, unfortified wine and fortified wine;

(2) Bottle, sell, deliver and ship malt beverages, unfortified wine, and fortified wine in closed containers to wholesalers licensed under this Chapter as authorized by the ABC laws;

(3) Furnish or sell packages which do not conform to the manufacturer's marketing standards, if State taxes have been or will be paid, to its employees for the use of the employees or their families and guests in this State.

A sale or gift under subdivision (3) shall not be considered a retail or wholesale sale under the ABC law.

§ 18B-1110.1. Authorization of packaging and logistics permit.

(a) Authorization. - The holder of a packaging and logistics permit may:

(1) Receive, in closed containers, malt beverages, unfortified wine, fortified wine, and spirituous liquor from a supplier for the purpose of packaging, repackaging, storage, shipping, and for the purpose of labeling or relabeling the outer packaging, such as a box or carton.

(2) Package or repackage malt beverages, unfortified wine, fortified wine, and spirituous liquor received from a supplier, and label or relabel the outer packaging.

(3) Subject to the record-keeping requirements of G.S. 18B-1115, transport into or out of the State in closed containers the maximum amounts of malt beverages, unfortified wine, fortified wine, and spirituous liquor allowed under federal law, if the transportation is related to the packaging, labeling, sale, or storage permitted by this section.

(4) Deliver and ship malt beverages, unfortified wine, and fortified wine as provided in this section in closed containers to suppliers and wholesalers licensed under this Chapter.

(5) Deliver and ship spirituous liquor as provided in this section in closed containers at wholesale to exporters and local boards within the State.

(6) Subject to the laws of other jurisdictions, deliver and ship malt beverages, unfortified wine, fortified wine, and spirituous liquor as provided in this section to out-of-state suppliers or at wholesale or retail to private or public agencies or establishments of other states or nations.

(b) Limitation. - A packaging and logistics permit does not authorize the permit holder to engage in the manufacture of alcoholic beverages except for packaging, repackaging, labeling, and relabeling as provided in subsection (a) of this section. A holder of a packaging and logistics permit may not sell, deliver, or ship malt beverages, unfortified wine, fortified wine, or spirituous liquor directly to consumers or to retail establishments in this State. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to abrogate the provisions of G.S. 18B-1119.

(c) Distribution Agreements. - Malt beverage and wine distribution agreements applicable between a wholesaler and an original supplier are governed by Articles 12 and 13 of this Chapter. (2022-44, s. 2(b).)

§ 18B-1111. Authorization of salesman permit.

(a) Authorized Acts. - The holder of a salesman permit may sell and transport malt beverages for a malt beverage wholesaler or sell and transport unfortified and fortified wine for a wine wholesaler.

(b) Persons Required to Obtain Permit. - All route salesmen and salesmen working at a wholesaler's warehouse shall obtain the permit described in this section. All salesmen shall be at least 18 years old.

(c) Validity Period. - A salesman permit shall be valid as provided in G.S. 18B-903(a), except that it shall be valid only so long as the salesman is employed by the same wholesaler. (1951, c. 378, ss. 1, 2, 5-8; 1963, c. 426, s. 13; 1971, c. 872, s. 1; 1975, c. 330, s. 2; c. 411, s. 8; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; 2022-69, s. 2.)

§ 18B-1112. Authorization of vendor representative permit.

(a) Authorized Acts. - The holder of a vendor representative permit may represent an unfortified winery, fortified winery, limited winery, brewery, bottler, importer, nonresident malt beverage vendor, or nonresident wine vendor, either as an employee or an agent, to solicit orders for that commercial permittee's product. The vendor representative may sell, deliver, and ship alcoholic beverages in this State only to permittees to whom the commercial permittee he represents may sell, deliver, or ship.

(b) Number of Permits. - A vendor representative shall secure a separate permit for each commercial permittee he represents. A permit may not be issued without the approval of the commercial permittee. (1981, c. 747, s. 63; 1981 (Reg. Sess., 1982), c. 1262, s. 21.)

§ 18B-1113. Authorization of nonresident malt beverage vendor permit.

The holder of a nonresident malt beverage vendor permit may sell, deliver, and ship malt beverages in this State only to wholesalers, importers, and bottlers licensed under this Chapter, as authorized by the ABC laws. The malt beverages must come to rest at the licensed premises of a malt beverage wholesaler in this State before being resold to a retailer. A nonresident malt beverage vendor permit may be issued to a brewery, an importer, or a bottler outside North Carolina who desires to sell, deliver, and ship malt beverages into this State. (1981, c. 747, s. 63; 1993, c. 415, s. 23.)

§ 18B-1113.1. Authorization of optional nonresident spirituous liquor vendor permit.

(a) The following businesses may apply for and obtain a nonresident spirituous liquor vendor permit:

(1) A business located outside the State that is licensed or permitted to manufacture spirituous liquor in the jurisdiction where the business is located and whose products are lawfully sold in this State.

(2) A brokerage.

(3) A liquor importer/bottler.

(b) The holder of a nonresident spirituous liquor vendor permit may deliver and ship spirituous liquor that has been approved for sale in this State to the permit holder's (i) employees in the State and (ii) brokerage if the brokerage also holds a nonresident spirituous liquor vendor permit for the purposes of conducting special events pursuant to G.S. 18B-1114.7. The permit holder may not ship or deliver more spirituous liquor to its employees or brokerage than is necessary for any consumer tasting event scheduled within one calendar month of the shipment or delivery. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to require a business to possess or obtain a nonresident spirituous liquor vendor permit to do business in the State or to obtain a spirituous liquor special event permit pursuant to G.S. 18B-1114.7.

(c) For purposes of this section, "distillery" means the holder of a distillery permit issued under G.S. 18B-1105 or a business located outside the State that is licensed or permitted to manufacture spirituous liquor in the jurisdiction where the business is located and whose products are lawfully sold in this State. (2021-150, s. 6.2(a); 2022-51, s. 3.)

§ 18B-1114. Authorization of nonresident wine vendor permit.

The holder of a nonresident wine vendor permit may sell, deliver, and ship unfortified and fortified wine in this State only to wholesalers, importers, and bottlers licensed under this Chapter, as authorized by the ABC laws. The unfortified and fortified wine must come to rest at the licensed premises of a wine wholesaler in this State before being resold to a retailer. A nonresident wine vendor permit may be issued to a winery, a wholesaler, an importer, or a bottler outside North Carolina who desires to sell, deliver, and ship unfortified and fortified wine into this State. The holder of a nonresident wine vendor permit may sell, deliver, and ship into this State only wine for which it is a primary American source of supply. To be considered a primary American source of supply, a nonresident wine vendor must establish that it has lawfully purchased the wine from the winery, or from an agent of the winery, and by written contract or otherwise has been authorized by the winery to distribute the wine to wholesalers in the United States. (1981, c. 747, s. 63; 1993, c. 415, s. 24; 2006-227, s. 13.)

§ 18B-1114.1. Authorization of winery special event permit.

(a) Authorization. - The holder of an unfortified winery permit, a limited winery permit, a viticulture/enology course authorization, a wine producer permit, or a vendor representative permit may obtain a winery special event permit allowing the winery or wine producer to give free tastings of its wine; to sell branded merchandise such as glassware, cups, signs, t-shirts, hats, and other apparel; and to sell its wine by the glass or in closed containers, at shopping malls and at trade shows, conventions, wine festivals, street festivals, holiday festivals, agricultural festivals, farmers markets, balloon races, local fund-raisers, and other similar events approved by the Commission.

(b) Limitation. - A winery special event permit is valid only in a jurisdiction that has approved the establishment of ABC stores or has approved the sale of unfortified wine. (1989, c. 737, s. 2; 1991, c. 267, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1007, s. 24; 1993, c. 553, s. 71; 2001-262, s. 3; 2001-487, s. 49(e); 2005-350, s. 3(b); 2017-87, s. 18; 2017-108, s. 19; 2017-212, s. 8.1; 2018-100, s. 6(a); 2021-150, s. 6.2(e).)

§ 18B-1114.2. Effect of cider and vinegar manufacturer permit.

The holder of a cider and vinegar manufacturer permit may purchase and transport unlimited quantities of out-of-date unfortified or fortified wines from wine wholesalers for the sole purpose of manufacturing a food product item. Any manufacturer of cider or vinegar may apply for this permit. (1997-134, s. 2.)

§ 18B-1114.3. Authorization of wine producer permit.

(a) Authorization. - The holder of a wine producer permit may:

(1) Ship crops grown on land owned by it in North Carolina to a winery, inside or outside the State, for the manufacture and bottling of unfortified wine from those crops and may receive that wine back in closed containers.

(2) Sell, deliver, and ship the unfortified wine manufactured from its crops in closed containers to wholesalers and retailers licensed under this Chapter as authorized by the ABC laws and also sell to exporters and nonresident wholesalers when the purchase is not for resale in this State.

(3) Regardless of the results of any local wine election, sell the wine manufactured from its crops for on-or off-premise consumption upon obtaining the appropriate permit under G.S. 18B-1001.

(b) Limitation on Sales. - The holder of a wine producer permit may not sell, in total, annually, more than 20,000 gallons of wine manufactured off its premises from crops it has grown. (2001-262, s. 4; 2001-487, s. 49(c).)

§ 18B-1114.4. Viticulture/Enology course authorization.

(a) Authorization. - The holder of a viticulture/enology course authorization may:

(1) Manufacture wine from grapes grown on the school's campus or the school's contracted or leased property for the purpose of providing instruction and education on the making of unfortified wines.

(2) Possess wines manufactured during the viticulture/enology program for the purpose of conducting wine-tasting seminars and classes for students who are 21 years of age or older.

(3) Sell wines produced during the course to wholesalers or to retailers upon obtaining a wine wholesaler permit under G.S. 18B-1107, except that the permittee may not receive shipments of wines from other producers.

(4) Sell wines produced during the course, upon obtaining a permit under G.S. 18B-1001(4).

(b) Limitation. - Authorization for a viticulture/enology course shall be granted by the Commission only for a community college or college that offers a viticulture/enology program as a part of its curriculum offerings for students of the school. Wines may be manufactured only from grapes grown in a viticulture/enology course vineyard that is located on the school's campus or the school's contracted or leased property.

(c) The holder of a viticulture/enology course authorization who obtains a wine wholesaler permit under G.S. 18B-1107 subject to the limitation in subsection (a) of this section may obtain a winery special event permit under G.S. 18B-1114.1, and where the permit is valid may participate in approved events and sell at retail at those events any wine produced incident to the operation of the viticulture/enology program. The holder of a viticulture/enology course authorization may participate in not more than six winery special events within a 12-month period and may sell up to 25 cases of wine at each event. Net proceeds from the program's retail sale of wine pursuant to this subsection shall be retained by the school and used for support of the viticulture/enology program.

(d) The holder of a viticulture/enology course authorization shall not be considered a winery for the purposes of this Chapter or Chapter 105 of the General Statutes. (2002-102, s. 1; 2005-350, s. 3(a); 2009-539, s. 2.)

§ 18B-1114.5. Authorization of malt beverage special event permit.

(a) Authorization. - The holder of a brewery permit, a malt beverages importer permit, a brewing, distillation, and fermentation course authorization, a nonresident malt beverage vendor permit, or a vendor representative permit may obtain a malt beverage special event permit allowing the permittee to give free tastings of its malt beverages; to sell branded merchandise such as glassware, cups, signs, t-shirts, hats, and other apparel; and to sell its malt beverages by the glass or in closed containers at shopping malls and at trade shows, conventions, malt beverage festivals, street festivals, holiday festivals, agricultural festivals, farmers markets, balloon races, local fund-raisers, and other similar events approved by the Commission. Except for a brewery operating under the provisions of G.S. 18B-1104(a)(8), all malt beverages sampled or sold pursuant to this section must be purchased from a licensed malt beverages wholesaler.

(b) Limitation. - A malt beverage special event permit is valid only in a jurisdiction that has approved the establishment of ABC stores or has approved the sale of malt beverages. A malt beverage special event shall not be used as subterfuge for malt beverages suppliers to ship directly to retail permittees unless otherwise authorized by law. (2009-377, s. 4; 2014-115, s. 28.2(b); 2014-120, s. 17(b); 2017-87, s. 16(e); 2018-100, s. 6(b); 2019-182, s. 9; 2021-150, s. 6.2(f).)

§ 18B-1114.6. Brewing, Distillation, and Fermentation course authorization.

(a) Authorization. - The holder of a brewing, distillation, and fermentation course authorization may:

(1) Manufacture malt beverages on the school's campus or the school's contracted or leased property for the purpose of providing instruction and education on the making of malt beverages.

(2) Possess malt beverages manufactured during the brewing, distillation, and fermentation program for the purpose of conducting malt beverage tasting seminars and classes for students who are 21 years of age or older.

(3) Sell malt beverages produced during the course to wholesalers or to retailers upon obtaining a malt beverages wholesaler permit under G.S. 18B-1109, except that the permittee may not receive shipments of malt beverages from other producers.

(4) Sell malt beverages produced during the course, upon obtaining a permit under G.S. 18B-1001(2).

(b) Limitation. - Authorization for a brewing, distillation, and fermentation course shall be granted by the Commission only for a community college or college that offers a brewing, distillation, and fermentation program as a part of its curriculum offerings for students of the school. For purposes of this section, the term "brewing, distillation, and fermentation program" includes a fermentation sciences program offered by a community college or college as part of its curriculum offerings for students of the school.

(c) Malt Beverage Special Event Permit. - The holder of a brewing, distillation, and fermentation course authorization who obtains a malt beverages wholesaler permit under G.S. 18B-1109 subject to the limitation in subsection (a) of this section may obtain a malt beverage special event permit under G.S. 18B-1114.5 and where the permit is valid may participate in approved events and sell at retail at those events any malt beverages produced incident to the operation of the brewing, distillation, and fermentation program. The holder of a brewing, distillation, and fermentation course authorization may participate in not more than six malt beverage special events within a 12-month period and may sell up to 64 cases of malt beverages, or the equivalent volume of 64 cases of malt beverages, at each event. For purposes of this subsection, a "case of malt beverages" is a package containing not more than 24 12-ounce bottles of malt beverage. Net proceeds from the program's retail sale of malt beverages pursuant to this subsection shall be retained by the school and used for support of the brewing, distillation, and fermentation program.

(d) Limited Application. - The holder of a brewing, distillation, and fermentation course authorization shall not be considered a brewery for the purposes of this Chapter or Chapter 105 of the General Statutes. (2014-120, s. 17(a).)

§ 18B-1114.7. Authorization of spirituous liquor special event permit.

(a) Authorization. - The holder of a supplier representative permit, brokerage representative permit, nonresident spirituous liquor vendor permit, or distillery permit issued under G.S. 18B-1105 may obtain a spirituous liquor special event permit allowing the permittee to give free tastings of its spirituous liquors at ABC stores where the local board has approved the tasting, at shopping malls, or at trade shows, conventions, street festivals, holiday festivals, agricultural festivals, balloon races, farmers markets, local fund-raisers, and other similar events approved by the Commission. Additionally, the holder of a spirituous liquor special event permit may sell mixed beverages or provide at no cost spirituous liquor distilled or produced at the distillery in closed containers at trade shows, conventions, agricultural festivals, farmers markets, local fund-raisers, and other similar events approved by the Commission. The permit shall be issued in the name of the distillery or, if issued to a supplier representative, brokerage representative, or nonresident spirituous liquor vendor, in the name of the nonresident spirituous liquor vendor or the name of the business the supplier representative or brokerage representative represents.

(b) General Limitations on Consumer Tastings. - Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, any consumer tasting is subject to the following limitations:

(1) The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall conduct the consumer tasting and the permit holder shall be solely responsible for any violations of this Chapter occurring in connection with the consumer tasting.

(2) The spirituous liquor shall be poured only by either (i) the permit holder conducting the consumer tasting or (ii) an employee or authorized agent of the permit holder conducting the consumer tasting who is at least 21 years of age.

(3) Each consumer shall be limited to one tasting sample containing 0.25 ounces of any product made available for sampling at the consumer tasting, and the total amount of the tasting samples offered to and consumed by each consumer shall not exceed 1.0 ounce of spirituous liquor in any calendar day.

(3a) The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent may only provide tasting samples of products from one distillery per booth, kiosk, or display.

(4) The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall not offer tasting samples to, or allow consumption of tasting samples by, any consumer who is visibly intoxicated.

(5) The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall not offer tasting samples to, or allow consumption of tasting samples by, any consumer under 21 years of age. The person pouring the spirituous liquor shall be responsible for verifying the age of the consumer being served by checking the identification of the consumer.

(6) The permit holder shall not charge a consumer for any tasting sample.

(7) Repealed by Session Laws 2019-182, s. 6(a), effective September 1, 2019.

(8) A consumer tasting shall not be allowed unless the venue is located in a jurisdiction that has approved the sale of mixed beverages.

(9) The permit holder may provide point-of-sale advertising materials and advertising specialties and may sell branded merchandise such as glassware, cups, signs, t-shirts, hats, and other apparel to consumers at the consumer tasting.

(10) The permit holder shall maintain for a period of at least one year a record of each consumer tasting conducted. The record shall include the date of the consumer tasting, the time of the consumer tasting, an identification of the venue at which the consumer tasting was held, an identification of the spirituous liquor that was provided for tasting at the consumer tasting, and the name of any person who poured spirituous liquor at the consumer tasting. The permit holder shall allow the ABC Commission to inspect those records at any time.

(11) Consumer tastings may not be provided between the hours of 2:00 A.M. and 7:00 A.M., except that on Sundays consumer tastings may not be provided until 12:00 noon unless the sale of alcoholic beverages before 12:00 noon is authorized by local ordinance pursuant to G.S. 153A-145.7 or G.S. 160A-205.3.

(b1) General Limitations on Sales of Mixed Beverages. - The sale of mixed beverages in conjunction with a consumer tasting under a spirituous liquor special event permit is subject to the following limitations:

(1) The sale of mixed beverages in conjunction with a consumer tasting is not authorized at shopping malls, street festivals, holiday festivals, or balloon races.

(2) The mixed beverages shall contain only spirituous liquor distilled or produced at the distillery.

(3) The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall conduct the sale of mixed beverages, and the permit holder shall be solely responsible for any violations of this Chapter occurring in connection with the event.

(4) The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent may only sell mixed beverages containing products from one distillery per booth, kiosk, or display.

(5) The mixed beverage shall be prepared only by either (i) the permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent conducting the consumer tasting or (ii) an employee of the permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent conducting the consumer tasting who is at least 21 years of age.

(6) The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall not knowingly sell more than two mixed beverages to a customer per calendar day, per distillery.

(7) The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall not sell or serve mixed beverages to any consumer who is visibly intoxicated.

(8) The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall not sell or serve mixed beverages to any consumer under 21 years of age. The person preparing the mixed beverage shall be responsible for verifying the age of the consumer being served by checking the identification of the consumer.

(9) The sale of mixed beverages shall not be allowed unless the venue is located in a jurisdiction that has approved the sale of mixed beverages.

(10) Mixed beverages may not be sold between the hours of 2:00 A.M. and 7:00 A.M., except that on Sundays mixed beverages may not be sold until 12:00 noon unless otherwise authorized by local ordinance pursuant to G.S. 153A-145.7 or G.S. 160A-205.3.

(b2) General Limitations on the Provision of Spirituous Liquor in Closed Containers. - The provision of spirituous liquor in closed 50 milliliter mini-bottle containers, at no cost, in conjunction with a consumer tasting under a spirituous liquor special event permit is authorized subject to the following limitations:

(1) The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall provide only spirituous liquor distilled or produced at the distillery.

(2) The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall conduct the provision of the spirituous liquor, and the permit holder shall be solely responsible for any violations of this Chapter occurring in connection with the event.

(3) The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent may only provide spirituous liquor distilled or produced by one distillery per booth, kiosk, or display.

(4) The spirituous liquor shall be provided only by either (i) the permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent conducting the consumer tasting or (ii) an employee of the permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent conducting the consumer tasting who is at least 21 years of age.

(5) The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall not knowingly provide more than one 50 milliliter mini-bottle of spirituous liquor to a customer per calendar day, per distillery. Notwithstanding G.S. 18B-301(e), a customer may possess a mini-bottle purchased at a consumer tasting event while at the event.

(6) The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall not provide spirituous liquor to any consumer who is visibly intoxicated.

(7) The permit holder or the permit holder's authorized agent shall not provide spirituous liquor to any consumer under 21 years of age. The person providing the spirituous liquor shall be responsible for verifying the age of the consumer being served by checking the identification of the consumer.

(8) The provision of spirituous liquor shall not be allowed unless the venue is located in a jurisdiction that has approved the sale of mixed beverages.

(9) Spirituous liquor in closed containers may be provided between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M. on Monday through Saturday of each week, from 12:00 noon to 9:00 P.M. on Sundays, and from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. on each of the following holidays that do not fall on a Sunday: New Year's Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving Day.

(c) Additional Limitations on Tastings in ABC Stores. - Consumer tastings conducted in an ABC store shall have the following additional limitations:

(1) The spirituous liquor used in the consumer tasting event shall be purchased by the permit holder from any ABC store at the price set by the Commission. The permit holder shall remove from the premises any remaining spirituous liquor used in the consumer tasting event at the conclusion of the consumer tasting event.

(1a) Repealed by Session Laws 2022-51, s. 5(b), effective July 7, 2022.

(2) A local board may allow consumer tasting events to be conducted only between the hours of 1:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. on any day the ABC store, where the consumer tasting event is being held, is authorized by law to sell spirituous liquor. No consumer tasting event shall be conducted for more than three hours.

(3) The local board shall limit the consumer tasting events allowed per ABC store as follows:

a. No more than three consumer tasting events may be held per calendar week.

b. No more than two different permit holders may conduct a consumer tasting event at the same time.

(4) Notwithstanding subdivision (3) of subsection (b) of this section, the total amount of the tasting samples offered to and consumed by each consumer at a consumer tasting event shall not exceed one-half ounce of spirituous liquor in any calendar day.

(5) The permit holder conducting the event may provide point-of-sale advertising materials and advertising specialties to consumers at the consumer tasting event, but shall not conduct any sales of any branded merchandise or apparel to consumers at the consumer tasting event.

(6) The local board may post notice of the consumer tasting event at the local board's administrative offices and at any of the ABC stores within the local board's system and may provide notice of the consumer tasting event to any mixed beverage permittee that purchases spirituous liquor from an ABC store within the local board's system. Except as permitted by this subdivision, no local board or permit holder shall advertise or promote the consumer tasting event to the public or cause any person to do so on its behalf.

(7) The permit holder shall provide written notice of the consumer tasting event to the ABC Commission at least 48 hours before the consumer tasting event. The notice shall include all of the following:

a. The date and time of the consumer tasting event.

b. The ABC store at which the consumer tasting event will be conducted.

c. The spirituous liquor that will be provided for tasting at the consumer tasting event.

(8) The Commission shall adopt rules to ensure that local ABC boards that choose to allow tastings provide holders of distillery permits issued under G.S. 18B-1105 with reasonable opportunities to conduct tastings.

(9) Any tasting conducted in an ABC store shall be the sole responsibility of the permit holder. No employee of a local board may participate in or conduct a tasting in an ABC store.

(10) Any additional conditions imposed by the local board. Any additional conditions shall be in writing, and the local board shall post notice of the additional conditions at the local board's administrative offices and provide a copy of that notice to any permit holder upon request.

(11) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a permit holder conducting a consumer tasting event pursuant to this section shall not provide any consideration to the local board, its board members, or its employees for any purpose related to the consumer tasting event. A consumer tasting event shall not be used by permit holders for unlawful inducements to a local board.

(d) For purposes of this section, "distillery" means the holder of a distillery permit issued under G.S. 18B-1105 or a business located outside the State that is licensed or permitted to manufacture spirituous liquor in the jurisdiction where the business is located and whose products are lawfully sold in this State. (2017-87, s. 2(c); 2018-100, s. 6(c); 2019-182, s. 6(a); 2021-150, s. 6.2(g); 2022-51, s. 5(a), (b); 2024-41, s. 12.)

§ 18B-1114.8. Home maker special event permit.

(a) Definitions. - For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) Homemade product. - A malt beverage or wine produced pursuant to G.S. 18B-306.

(2) Home maker club. - An organization devoted to malt beverages and wine produced pursuant to G.S. 18B-306 that:

a. Has a defined membership with a stated common purpose.

b. Has a written policy for granting membership that includes a written application submitted by each member, both of which may be produced or maintained electronically.

c. Maintains a list of all active members and their addresses that is present at all organized affairs of the club and is open to inspection by alcohol law-enforcement agents upon request.

d. Holds a general liability insurance policy in the amount of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000). This requirement may be satisfied by either an annual policy or a policy for a specific special event.

(b) [Permit. -] A home maker club may obtain a home maker special event permit allowing the permittee to give free tastings of homemade malt beverages and wines on the premises of retail ABC permittees and at shopping malls, or at trade shows, conventions, street festivals, holiday festivals, agricultural festivals, balloon races, farmers markets, local fundraisers, and other similar events approved by the Commission. The permit shall be issued in the name of the home maker club.

(c) Limitations on Consumer Tastings. - Any consumer tasting conducted pursuant to this section is subject to the following limitations:

(1) Members of the permitted home maker club shall conduct the consumer tasting and the permit holder shall be solely responsible for any violations of this Chapter occurring in connection with the consumer tasting.

(2) At an event occurring on the premises of a retail ABC permittee, no homemade products may be removed from or consumed outside of the retail permittee's premises. The home maker club shall obtain written authorization to conduct the consumer tasting at least 24 hours prior to conducting the consumer tasting.

(3) At an event occurring at a trade show, convention, street festival, holiday festival, agricultural festival, balloon race, farmers market, local fundraiser, or other similar event approved by the Commission, no homemade products may be removed from or consumed outside of a clearly marked and defined area where consumption of homemade products is authorized.

(4) The permit holder shall provide to the Commission in advance of any consumer tasting a list of homemade products offered at the consumer tastings at least 24 hours before the start of the consumer tasting event. For a consumer tasting occurring on the premises of a retail ABC permittee, the permit holder shall also provide this list to the permittee.

(5) Homemade products shall be labeled with a label stating the maker's name and telephone number, the alcohol content by volume, and the statement "Homemade product for consumer tasting."

(6) Members of the permitted home maker club shall not offer tasting samples to, or allow consumption of tasting samples by, any consumer who is visibly intoxicated.

(7) Members of the permitted home maker club shall not offer tasting samples to, or allow consumption of tasting samples by, any consumer under 21 years of age. The person pouring the homemade products shall be responsible for verifying the age of the consumer being served by checking the identification of the consumer.

(8) Homemade products may be stored on permitted premises for no more than 48 hours prior to the consumer tasting. Homemade products shall be sealed while being stored on permitted premises and segregated from other commercial alcoholic beverages located on the premises. No homemade product shall remain on the premises for more than 24 hours after the conclusion of the consumer tasting.

(9) Each consumer shall be limited to six tasting samples containing 1 ounce of any homemade product made available for sampling at the consumer tasting, and the total amount of the tasting samples offered to and consumed by each consumer shall not exceed 6 ounces in any calendar day.

(10) The permit holder or members of the permitted home maker club shall not charge a consumer for any tasting sample or for entry to the consumer tasting.

(11) The permit holder shall maintain for a period of at least one year a record of each consumer tasting conducted. The record shall include the date of the consumer tasting, the time of the consumer tasting, an identification of the venue at which the consumer tasting was held, an identification of the homemade products that were provided for tasting at the consumer tasting, and the name of any person who poured homemade products at the consumer tasting. The permit holder shall allow the ABC Commission to inspect those records at any time.

(12) Each consumer participating in a consumer tasting shall be required to provide his or her name, telephone number, email address, and the date of the consumer tasting. (2024-41, s. 25(c).)

§ 18B-1115. Commercial transportation.

(a) Permit Required. - Unless a person holds a permit which otherwise allows him to transport more than 80 liters of malt beverages other than draft malt beverages in kegs, 50 liters of unfortified wine, or eight liters of fortified wine or spirituous liquor, or is a retailer authorized to transport alcoholic beverages under G.S. 18B-405, each person transporting alcoholic beverages in excess of those quantities shall have the permit described in this section.

(b) When Transportation Legal. - No person may obtain a permit under this section to transport spirituous liquor unless the transportation is for delivery to a federal reservation over which North Carolina has ceded jurisdiction to the United States, for delivery to an ABC store, or for transport through this State to another state.

(c) Common Carriers. - Railroad companies and other common carriers having regularly established schedules of service in this State may transport alcoholic beverages into, out of, and between points in this State without a permit. Those companies shall keep accurate records of the character, volume and number of containers transported and shall allow the Commission and alcohol law-enforcement agents to inspect those records at any time. The Commission may require common carriers to make reports of shipments.

(d) Motor Vehicle Carriers. - Alcoholic beverages may be transported over the public highways of this State by motor vehicle carriers under the following conditions:

(1) The carrier shall notify the Commission of the character of the alcoholic beverages it will transport and of its authorization from the appropriate regulatory authority.

(2) The carrier shall obtain, at no charge, a fleet permit from the Commission authorizing the transportation.

(3) The driver or person in charge of each vehicle transporting alcoholic beverages shall possess a copy of the carrier's fleet permit certified by the carrier to be an exact copy of the original.

(4) The driver or person in charge of each vehicle transporting alcoholic beverages shall possess a bill of lading, invoice or other memorandum of shipment showing the name and address of the person from whom the alcoholic beverages were received, the character and contents of the shipment, the quantity and volume of the shipment, and the name and address of the person to whom the alcoholic beverages are being shipped.

(5) The driver or person in charge of each vehicle transporting the alcoholic beverages shall display all documents required by this section upon request of any law-enforcement officer. Failure to produce these documents or failure of the documents to disclose clearly and accurately the information required by this section shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.

(6) Each carrier shall keep accurate records of character, volume and number of containers transported and shall allow the Commission and alcohol law-enforcement agents to inspect those records at any time. The Commission may require carriers to make reports of shipments.

(e) Transportation of Spirituous Liquor. - In addition to the requirements of subsection (d), motor vehicle carriers engaged in transporting spirituous liquor shall:

(1) Deposit with the Commission a surety bond for one thousand dollars ($1,000) conditioned that the carrier will not unlawfully transport spirituous liquor into or through this State. The bond, which shall be approved by the Commission, shall be payable to the State of North Carolina. If the bonded carrier is convicted of a violation covered by the bond, the proceeds of the forfeited bond shall be paid to the school fund of the county in which the liquor was seized.

(2) Include in its bill of lading, invoice or other memorandum of shipment the North Carolina code numbers of the spirituous liquor being transported.

(3) Include in its bill of lading, invoice or other memorandum of shipment the route which the vehicle will follow, and the vehicle shall not vary substantially from that stated route.

(f) Malt Beverages and Wine Transported by Boats. - The owner or operator of any boat may transport malt beverages, unfortified wine and fortified wine over the waters of this State if he satisfies all requirements of subsection (d).

(g) State Warehouse Carrier. - The Commission may exempt a carrier for the State or a local board warehouse from any of the requirements of this section provided that it determines that the requirements of this section are otherwise satisfied. (1923, c. 1, s. 15; C.S., s. 3411(o); 1939, c. 158, s. 503; 1971, c. 872, s. 1; 1975, c. 411, s. 7; 1977, c. 70, s. 20; c. 176, s. 7; 1979, c. 286, s. 5; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; c. 747, s. 63; 1987, c. 136, s. 9; 1989, c. 553, s. 4; 1993, c. 508, s. 7; 2005-335, s. 1.)

§ 18B-1116. Exclusive outlets prohibited.

(a) Prohibitions. - It shall be unlawful for any manufacturer, bottler, or wholesaler of any alcoholic beverages, or for any officer, director, or affiliate thereof, either directly or indirectly to do any of the following:

(1) Require that an alcoholic beverage retailer purchase any alcoholic beverages from that person to the full or partial exclusion of any other alcoholic beverages offered for sale by other persons in this State.

(2) Have any direct or indirect financial interest in the business of any alcoholic beverage retailer in this State or in the premises where the business of any alcoholic beverage retailer in this State is conducted.

(3) Lend or give to any alcoholic beverage retailer in this State or the retailer's employee or to the owner of the premises where the business of any alcoholic beverage retailer in this State is conducted, any money, service, equipment, furniture, fixtures or any other thing of value.

(4) Provide draft line cleaning services to an alcoholic beverage retailer unless the retailer pays the fair market value for such services.

A brewery qualifying under subdivision (7) or (8) of G.S. 18B-1104(a) is not subject to the provisions of this section concerning financial interests in, and lending or giving things of value to, a wholesaler or retailer with respect to the brewery's transactions with the retail business on its premises or other retail locations allowed under G.S. 18B-1104(a)(8). The brewery is subject to the provisions of this subsection, however, with respect to its transactions with all other wholesalers and retailers.

A distillery is not subject to the provisions of this section concerning financial interests in, and lending or giving things of value to, a retailer with respect to the distillery's transactions with the retail business allowed on its premises under G.S. 18B-1105(a)(4). The distillery is subject to the provisions of this subsection, however, with respect to its transactions with all other retailers.

(b) Exemptions. - The Commission may grant exemptions from the provisions of this section. Any exemption entered by the Commission in which any brewery or any officer, director, or affiliate of the brewery has a direct or indirect financial interest in the business of any retailer beyond the number of additional retail locations authorized by G.S. 18B-1104 shall prohibit the brewery's malt beverages from being sold to or purchased by that retailer. In determining whether to grant an exemption, the Commission shall consider the public welfare, the quantity and value of articles involved, established trade customs not contrary to the public interest, and the purposes of this section.

(c) As used in this section, the phrase "giving things of value" shall not include the dividing or removing of individual containers of alcohol from larger packages of alcohol or the delivery of such to the retail permittee. (1945, c. 708, s. 6; 1953, c. 1207, s. 1; 1971, c. 872, s. 1; 1981, c. 412, s. 2; c. 747, s. 63; 1993, c. 415, s. 25; 2005-380, s. 3; 2014-115, s. 28.2(c); 2017-87, ss. 11, 16(f); 2019-18, s. 3; 2019-182, s. 4(b); 2024-41, s. 32(a).)

§ 18B-1117. Repealed by Session Laws 1989, c. 142, s. 3.

§ 18B-1118. Purchase restrictions.

The holder of a malt beverage wholesaler, wine wholesaler, malt beverage importer, wine importer, or bottler permit may not purchase malt beverages or wine for resale in this State from a nonresident who does not have the proper nonresident vendor permit. (1985, c. 114, s. 3.)

§ 18B-1119. Supplier's financial interest in wholesaler.

(a) A supplier or an officer, director, employee or affiliate of a supplier may not acquire, possess, or otherwise maintain an ownership interest in its wholesaler except as expressly authorized by this Chapter.

(b) Repealed by Session Laws 2018-100, s. 7(b), effective June 26, 2018.

(c) A supplier or an officer, director, employee or affiliate of a supplier may have a security interest in the inventory or property of its wholesaler to secure payment for such inventory or other loans for other purposes.

(d) For purposes of this section, "supplier" means a manufacturer, bottler, importer, or owner of one or more brands of malt beverages, unfortified wine, or fortified wine distributed by its wholesaler. The term "supplier" does not include a wholesaler that meets either of the following criteria:

(1) The wholesaler also possesses a wine importer permit or a malt beverages importer permit and does not directly or through an affiliated entity also possess a nonresident wine vendor permit or a nonresident malt beverages vendor permit issued pursuant to this Chapter.

(2) The wholesaler is an importer in another state, provided such malt beverages, unfortified wine, or fortified wine are transferred to it through an unaffiliated and independent third party. (1989, c. 142, s. 2; 2018-100, s. 7(b); 2022-1, s. 5; 2022-51, s. 11; 2024-41, s. 21(c).)

§ 18B-1120. Noncontiguous storage locations.

A brewery, winery, or distillery may store any alcoholic beverages it manufactures pursuant to a permit issued under this Article at a noncontiguous storage location approved by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. The permittee must notify the Commission of any storage location used pursuant to this section. Any storage location used pursuant to this section shall be considered part of the premises of the brewery, winery, or distillery manufacturing the alcoholic beverages. (2017-87, s. 6.)

§ 18B-1121. Authority to sample for sensory analysis, quality control, or educational purposes.

Except as otherwise prohibited under Article 3 of this Chapter, a commercial permittee licensed under this Article, or its agent or employee, may consume samples of alcoholic beverages it is licensed to sell, free of charge, for purposes of sensory analysis, quality control, or education on any of the following premises:

(1) The permittee's premises licensed for commercial activity under Article 11 of this Chapter.

(2) The permittee's premises licensed for retail activity under Article 10 of this Chapter, if the commercial permittee is authorized to hold a retail permit under Article 11 of this Chapter and the commercial permittee has obtained the appropriate retail permit under G.S. 18B-1001.

(3) The premises of a special one-time permittee under G.S. 18B-1002.

(4) The premises of a special event where a commercial permittee is participating pursuant to a permit issued under G.S. 18B-1114.1 or G.S. 18B-1114.5. (2017-87, s. 9; 2018-100, s. 1.)

§ 18B-1122. Minimum standard of fill for malt beverages.

Malt beverages may be produced, bottled, imported, distributed, and sold in sealed containers which are 50 milliliters or more in volume. The Commission shall not limit or restrict the size of an individual malt beverage container allowed for sale in this State, provided that the container is not less than 50 milliliters. (2022-51, s. 19.)