A Guide to Alcoholic Beverage Information Resources

Serving alcohol in a food establishment can provide the business with a wealth of advantages. They are able to cater to a wide variety of customers, as well as increase their drink selection menu. In addition, they can benefit from the atmosphere and environment that arises with an establishment with alcohol. However, obtaining an alcohol serving permit is a different story. In order to obtain the permit and license needed to serve alcohol, a business needs to undergo pass a number of regulations and procedures before obtaining the right.

For both new and established business owners, there are a number of ways in which they can obtain information on alcoholic beverage regulations. Each state possesses an Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, a useful resource for individuals looking for information. In addition, a simple internet search will often suffice, to give the individual all the information they need.

What to know about Alcoholic Beverage Information

There are a number of factors that a business must keep in mind before serving alcohol. Oftentimes, the requirements for alcohol serving in each state are highly different. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind the state laws, and make sure that your business complies with state regulations. The following are examples of factors that will differ from state to state:

BAC:
Each state has a different Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit, or what is deemed as a legal amount. Most states generally have a limit of .08 BAC; anything over is deemed as illegal.

Minimum Ages:
Each state possesses its own minimum age limits in terms of serving and purchasing alcohol. It is typically illegal to serve or allow minors to purchase alcohol. Most states prevent anyone under the age of 21 years to serve, mix, or sell alcohol; however, some states may go as low as 16 to 18 years. Any businesses found in violation of this law may have their permits or even their business licenses taken away.

Happy Hour Laws:
One of the most common aspects of alcohol serving establishments is the happy hour. However, each state will have specific regulations on how much alcohol is served, and at which times. For example, some states prevent establishments from distributing free drinks to its customers. Others states have time restrictions, only allowing happy hours during a certain period of the day. For restaurant, bar, and other food establishment owners, it is vital that they understand the various components of state laws, and that they comply with regulations.