Crackdowns on the Cocktail Revival - Tiki Drinks and Food

CB Chief Bartender Member Sacramento, CA Joined: Jun 04, 2006 Posts: 128	CB Chief Bartender Posted posted on Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:33 PM I need some help from knowledgable folk and any help may be beneficial to cocktail lovers in the future. As a few of you know, I now work as an attorney for the California Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control. After the kerfluffle regarding infused liquors recently, there has been movement to change the rules or laws regarding infusions to make certain types legal. I volunteered to help with this project and have been asked to look for examples from states other than California where infusions are legal. My search so far has not been productive. Do any of you know of any laws or regulations covering this subject from outside California? Any pointers would be most appreciated. And now for some off-the-record and personal stuff. These comments are my thoughts and are not coming from the Department. The press and reaction over the infusions in San Francisco were completely overblown. Yes, they are presently illegal and yes, some bartenders were told to get rid of infused liquors, BUT, no one was cited for it and the agents were present due to other, bigger issues regarding alcohol enforcement. Trust me on this as I've seen both sides. As far as changing the rules, I, personally, would like to see infusions and homemade bitters for in-house use made legal. What won't happen is a bar being able to sell their own bitters for your home use. The big catch, and something I've put thought to, is where to draw the line regarding infusions and how to word it. I want to allow infusions, but realistically, I don't think the State will (or should) change the law to the extent that bars can make their own limoncello or gin, both of which are technically infusions. The light at the end of the tunnel may not be a train. Again, any assistance as to non-California rules will be greatly appreciated.

I need some help from knowledgable folk and any help may be beneficial to cocktail lovers in the future.

As a few of you know, I now work as an attorney for the California Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control. After the kerfluffle regarding infused liquors recently, there has been movement to change the rules or laws regarding infusions to make certain types legal. I volunteered to help with this project and have been asked to look for examples from states other than California where infusions are legal. My search so far has not been productive. Do any of you know of any laws or regulations covering this subject from outside California? Any pointers would be most appreciated.

And now for some off-the-record and personal stuff. These comments are my thoughts and are not coming from the Department.

The press and reaction over the infusions in San Francisco were completely overblown. Yes, they are presently illegal and yes, some bartenders were told to get rid of infused liquors, BUT, no one was cited for it and the agents were present due to other, bigger issues regarding alcohol enforcement. Trust me on this as I've seen both sides.

As far as changing the rules, I, personally, would like to see infusions and homemade bitters for in-house use made legal. What won't happen is a bar being able to sell their own bitters for your home use. The big catch, and something I've put thought to, is where to draw the line regarding infusions and how to word it. I want to allow infusions, but realistically, I don't think the State will (or should) change the law to the extent that bars can make their own limoncello or gin, both of which are technically infusions.

The light at the end of the tunnel may not be a train. Again, any assistance as to non-California rules will be greatly appreciated.

Post #525772 by Chief Bartender on Fri, Apr 23, 2010 4:33 PM