Tennessee liquor laws are hopelessly complicated, and the rules for sake are among the most byzantine. Sake is rice wine. Is it wine under Tennessee law? No. Wine is made from grapes or other fruit. Rice is a grain. Sake is clear and tastes like liquor. It must be liquor. Ever slammed a sake bomb? […] Read more
The Tennessee ABC will be launching its new online system, RLPS, starting January 22, 2018. Zack Blair, Assistant Director for the Tennessee ABC, lead an informative session for industry members yesterday, December 5, 2017, where ABC staff previewed the system and answered questions. Assistant Director Blair tells us that “The Commission is excited to be […] Read more
The Metro Beer Board officially coronated Benton McDonough as Executive Director at its November 2, 2017 meeting. Could Sainthood be next? Director McDonough and Board Chair Brian Taylor have certainly been busy rocking the boat with new changes at the Metro Beer Board. Hold on to your pacemaker for this one: the Metro Beer Board […] Read more
The rules on Happy Hour in Tennessee can drive you to drink. Make that a double. Nothing good seems to happens after 10 pm, or at least so thinks the Tennessee state legislature. After 10 pm, bars cannot: sell or serve more than one drink at a time pour more alcohol for the same price […] Read more
Landlords know this problem all too well. The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission calls a landlord an “indirect owner” if the landlord that receives 5% or more in percentage rent from the sale of alcohol. The ABC requires that the landlord file an ABC questionnaire for the landlord company. Recently, the ABC has been requiring that […] Read more
Anyone that has applied for a liquor license for a grocery or retail liquor store in Tennessee understands red tape. We purchase the stuff by the truckload around here. We seem to consume more red tape than oxygen and bourbon – combined. Starting July 1, 2017, applications for Certificate of Compliance in Tennessee must be […] Read more
Major change is afoot at the Metro Nashville Beer Board. After several years of dedicated service, longtime Beer Board Chair Anne Arney “retired.” Like most Tennessee beer boards, Nashville’s board is lead by volunteers, appointed by the mayor. Brian Taylor was elected chair by the board at the June 28, 2017 meeting. Executive Director Jackie […] Read more
Restaurant, hospitality and grocery insiders call it the wall. You know, the place where you have to publicly display your liquor license and other stuff the State of Tennessee issues. We hear it all too often from restaurant, bar, hotel and grocery store owners and managers: what signs do I have to post on the […] Read more
For the first time ever, revelers can legally belly up to the bar after last call at two Nashville restaurants – The Diner and The Scoreboard. Thanks to legislation inked by Tennessee Governor Haslam just hours ago (May 12, 2017), the two watering holes can sell beer, wine and spirits from 4 am in the morning until the following […] Read more
Many of our loyal readers know Beth Frasch, who is charged with the near impossible task of keeping yours truly, as well as managing the workflow for the Bone McAllester alcoholic beverage team. Beth’s family welcomes baby Riley Hayden Frasch, born 4:55 pm Wednesday April 26, 2017. Riley weighed in at 9lbs 9oz, just like her […] Read more
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