Legislation sponsored by Sen. Kim LaSata to fix an unexpected interpretation of an existing tasting room law was signed by the governor on Thursday.
“Michigan is renowned for its craft beverage industry, contributing billions to our state’s economy and employing tens of thousands of hardworking men and women, including many in our state’s great southwest region,” said LaSata, R-Coloma, who sponsored Senate Bill 49. “At this critical time when our state is getting back to work and with tourism on the rebound, ensuring our craft beverage producers have the ability to both sample and sell all of their creations in the same place is a simple, yet incredibly important fix to state law. I appreciate the strong bipartisan support this bill received to help this growing industry.”
An interpretation of existing law did not allow for beer, wine and spirits to be served at the same tasting room location without a physical barrier between them, leaving producers unable to operate their businesses as intended. This bill will have a positive impact on the industry, which includes 28 small winemakers, 17 small distillers, and 23 micro-brewers located in the 21st Senate District.
SB 49, which is now Public Act 20 of 2021, changes the law to allow wineries, breweries, and distilleries to operate both an on-premises tasting room and an off-premises tasting room at the same location, under certain conditions.
