Subchapter D. TASTING EVENTS

§ 13.201. Definitions.

 The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

   In-store tasting events—Tastings/tasting events held upon the premises of a State Liquor Store.

   Sponsor—A sponsor of a tasting event may be any licensed broker, holder of a limited winery or winery license, or a manufacturer of liquor or its agent 21 years of age or older.

   Standard size alcoholic beverage—A standard size alcoholic beverage is 12 fluid ounces of a malt or brewed beverage, 4 fluid ounces of wine (including fortified wine) or 1 1/2 fluid ounces of liquor.

   Tastings/tasting events—A presentation of alcoholic products to the public for the purpose of market research, disseminating product information and education of the public as to quality and availability.

TASTING EVENTS

§ 13.211. Tasting events.

 (a)  Tastings may be conducted by licensed brokers, distributors, importing distributors and manufacturers or their agents upon licensed or unlicensed premises.

 (b)  Licensed brokers, distributors, importing distributors and manufacturers or their agents conducting a tasting event shall adhere to the following requirements:

   (1)  Products used shall be legally procured and properly registered and taxes on the products shall be paid.

   (2)  Purchase requirements may not be associated with the tasting.

   (3)  No more than one standard size alcoholic beverage of each product shall be provided to each tasting participant.

IN-STORE TASTING EVENTS

§ 13.221. General requirements.

 (a)  Sponsors may conduct an in-store tasting event at the discretion of the Board.

 (b)  Only one sponsor may conduct an in-store tasting event at any one store at any one time unless otherwise approved by the Board.

 (c)  Sponsors shall observe all State and Federal laws and regulations governing liquor and wine during in-store tasting events.

 (d)  The Board may conduct its own in-store tasting event with or without the participation of a sponsor.

   The provisions of this §  13.221 amended under section 207(i) of the Liquor Code (47 P. S. §  2-207(i)).

 (a)  Sponsors shall obtain approval from the Board to conduct an in-store tasting event prior to the date of the proposed event.

 (b)  Prior to the in-store tasting event, sponsors may be required to demonstrate evidence of liability insurance in an amount to be determined by the Board and sign and submit a Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Indemnity Against Liability form to the Board.

 (c)  Prior to the in-store tasting event, sponsors shall provide the Board with a list of products to be tasted by consumers.

 (a)  Wine or spirits used during the in-store tasting events must be procured by the sponsor in accordance with the sampling process as specified in §  13.81 (relating to samples of liquor) or by legal purchase.

 (b)  A maximum of four products per sponsor per in-store tasting event may be made available for tasting by consumers.

 (a)  In the case of wine, only 1 ounce may be served to any one consumer for each product tasted. A consumer may not be furnished more than 4 ounces of wine.

 (a)  The sponsor is responsible for providing all supplies and equipment associated with an in-store tasting event subject to Board approval, including dump buckets, water glassses, tasting containers and tables.

 (b)  The sponsor shall provide food, such as cheese and crackers, for consumption by consumers during the in-store tasting event.

 (a)  Board employees may pour, dispense or serve tastings to the public.

 (b)  Board employees may give general information, such as sponsor, time and date, regarding the in-store tasting event to the public.

 (c)  On-duty employees of the State Liquor Store where the in-store tasting event is being conducted may not consume beverage alcohol.

   The provisions of this §  13.221 amended under section 207(i) of the Liquor Code (47 P. S. §  2-207(i)).

 (a)  At the conclusion of the in-store tasting event, sponsors shall discard unused portions of opened liquor containers at the State Liquor Store.

 (b)  Sponsors shall dispose of all empty liquor containers in accordance with section 491(5) of the Liquor Code (47 P. S. §  4-491(5)).

 Advertising of the in-store tasting event by the sponsor is subject to prior Board approval.