Package store permit holders may conduct tastings on permitted premises during business hours, but must follow notice, sample-size, product-count, handling, and advertising limits.
Sec. 22.18. TASTINGS. (a) The holder of a package store permit may conduct product tastings of distilled spirits, wine, malt beverages, or spirit-based coolers on the permitted premises during regular business hours as provided by this section. (b) Written notification of a product tasting must be posted on the premises of the package store permit holder not later than 48 hours before the tasting event. The notification shall clearly state: (1) the type and brand of alcoholic beverage to be tasted; (2) the date and hours the tasting is to take place; and (3) the address of the premises where the tasting is to occur. (c) A copy of the notification shall be kept on file and available for inspection on the premises during all tasting hours. (d) Sample portions at a product tasting shall be limited to not more than: (1) one-half ounce for distilled spirits; (2) one ounce for wine; and (3) one ounce for malt beverages and coolers. (e) Not more than 20 different products may be made available for tasting at any one time. (f) No charge of any sort may be made for a sample serving. (g) A person may be served more than one sample. Samples may not be served to a minor or to an obviously intoxicated person. A sample may not be removed from the permitted premises. (h) During the tasting, not more than two containers of each brand or type of product being tasted may be open on the premises at one time. (i) At the conclusion of the tasting, all empty or open containers of alcoholic beverages used in the tasting shall be removed from the premises or stored in a locked, secure area on the permitted premises. (j) A tasting event authorized by this section may not be advertised except by on-site communications, by direct mail, by electronic mail, or on the permit holder's Internet website. (k) Except as provided by Subsection (l) or elsewhere in this code, a person other than the package store permittee or the permittee's agent or employee may not dispense or participate in the dispensing of alcoholic beverages under this section. (l) The holder of a distiller's or rectifier's permit or nonresident seller's permit or that permit holder's agent or employee may participate in and conduct product tastings of alcoholic beverages at a retailer's premises and may open, touch, or pour alcoholic beverages, make a presentation, or answer questions at the tasting. Any alcoholic beverage tasted under this subsection must be purchased from the package store permit holder on whose premises the tasting is held. The permit holder may not require the purchase of more alcoholic beverages than are necessary for the tasting. This section does not authorize the holder of a distiller's or rectifier's permit or nonresident seller's permit or that permit holder's agent or employee to withdraw or purchase an alcoholic beverage from the holder of a wholesaler's permit or provide an alcoholic beverage for tasting on a retailer's premises that is not purchased from the retailer. (m) For the purposes of this code and any other law or ordinance: (1) a package store permit does not authorize the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premise consumption; and (2) none of the permit holder's income may be considered to be income from the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premise consumption. Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1359 (H.B. 1545), Sec. 89, eff. September 1, 2021.