A bill currently pending in the North Carolina legislature would give distillers in the Old North State the same sales rights possessed by brewers and distillers, and Broad Branch Distillery is urged spirits consumers to “stand up for North Carolina distillers and ask your legislators to expand consumer options at distilleries!”
North Carolina distilleries can open on Sundays and holidays for tastings and tours but, unlike breweries and wineries, cannot sell their spirits to visitors. This sales restriction means that some North Carolina distilleries do not open on Sundays and holidays which limits opportunities for you to visit your favorite distillery.
Consumers can sample spirits at special events like trade shows and conventions, but unlike wineries and breweries, North Carolina distilleries cannot sell their products at these events. This restriction makes it hard for you to remember the spirits you like when you visit your local ABC store.
The bill, HB 890 expands opportunities for North Carolina distilleries to sell their products to consumers and would provide much-needed economic relief to distillers AND increase tax revenue to the state following the devastating impacts of COVID.