Section 340A.418 - ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE TASTINGSSubdivision 1.Definition.For purposes of this section, an "alcoholic beverage tasting" or "tasting" means an event at which persons pay a fee or donation to participate, and are allowed to consume wine, malt liquor, or both, by the glass without paying a separate charge for each glass.
Subd. 2.Tastings authorized.(a) A charitable, religious, or other nonprofit organization may conduct a tasting of not more than four hours duration on premises the organization owns or leases or has use donated to it, or on the licensed premises of a holder of an on-sale intoxicating liquor license that is not a temporary license, if the organization holds a temporary on-sale intoxicating liquor license under section 340A.404, subdivision 10, and complies with this section. An organization holding a temporary license may be assisted in conducting the tasting by another nonprofit organization.(b) An organization that conducts a tasting under this section may use the net proceeds from the tasting only for: (1) the organization's primary nonprofit purpose; or(2) donation to another nonprofit organization assisting in the tasting, if the other nonprofit organization uses the donation only for that organization's primary nonprofit purpose.(c) No wine or malt liquor at a tasting under this section may be sold, or orders taken, for off-premises consumption.(d) Notwithstanding any other law, an organization may purchase or otherwise obtain wine or malt liquor for a tasting conducted under this section from a wholesaler licensed to sell wine or malt liquor, and the wholesaler may sell or give wine or malt liquor to an organization for a tasting conducted under this section and may provide personnel to assist in the tasting. A wholesaler who sells or gives wine or malt liquor to an organization for a tasting under this section must deliver the wine or malt liquor directly to the location where the tasting is conducted.(e) This section does not prohibit or restrict a tasting that is: (1) located on on-sale premises where no charitable organization is participating; or(2) located on on-sale premises where the proceeds are for a designated charity but where the tasting is primarily for educational purposes.(f) The four-hour limitation specified in paragraph (a) shall not apply to a tasting at a convention of fine wine, malt liquor, and gourmet food exhibitors, provided the convention has at least 100 exhibitors and takes place over not more than three days.1994 c 611 s 25; 1996 c 418 s 10; 2005 c 131 s 6; 2013 c 42 s 7
Amended by 2013 Minn. Laws, ch. 42,s 7, eff. 7/1/2013.