Alcoholic beverages: distilled spirits.

Assembly Member Hoover's proposal to modify California's alcoholic beverage regulations would allow winegrowers to store and age brandy on their premises while enabling craft distillers to transport brandy to winegrowers' facilities for aging. The legislation also permits craft distillers to sell up to 4.5 liters of their prepackaged spirits per day to individual consumers at their premises, doubling the current 2.25-liter limit.

The bill establishes specific parameters for alcoholic beverage service within designated entertainment zones, requiring premises to be located within zone boundaries and comply with local ordinances regarding open container policies. Licensed establishments must prohibit outside alcoholic beverages, restrict deliveries within the zone, and submit annual notices of participation to state regulators. The measure maintains existing production caps for craft distillers at 150,000 gallons of distilled spirits per fiscal year, with at least 65% manufactured directly by the licensee.

These amendments to the Business and Professions Code include new reporting requirements for craft distillers to document their annual production volumes and sources. Distillers exceeding production limits or falling below the minimum self-manufacturing threshold would have their licenses reclassified as distilled spirits manufacturer licenses rather than craft distiller permits. The legislation also prevents individuals affiliated with larger producers or wholesalers from obtaining craft distiller licenses.