2005 Vermont Code - § 65. — Home-fermented malt and vinous beverages; tasting event

§ 65. Home-fermented malt and vinous beverages; tasting event

(a) A person of legal age may, without obtaining a license under this title or paying state taxes or fees, produce malt or vinous beverages, or both, at home provided that the amount of home-fermented beverages produced by that person does not exceed the quantities limitation in 26 U.S.C. §§ 5053 and 5042.

(b) Home-fermented beverages produced pursuant to this section may be transported to and offered for tasting at an organized event, exhibition or competition held for home-fermented beverages, provided all the following conditions are met:

(1) The sponsor provides written notice of the event to the department no later than 10 days prior to the date of the event. The notice shall include a description of the delineated area in which the tastings will be offered.

(2) The public is not charged a fee for the tastings or for admission to the event, exhibition or competition. However, the sponsor may charge a fee to the producers of home-fermented beverages for their participation in the event.

(3) Tastings of home-fermented beverages are offered only within the delineated area specified in the notice to the department.

(4) The home-fermented beverages are served only to individuals of legal age.

(5) No home-fermented beverages are served to any individual who is apparently under the influence of alcohol.

(6) No more than two ounces of any single vinous beverage and no more than four ounces of any single malt beverage is provided to any individual for tasting.

(7) The sponsor has provided an individual who has successfully completed the department's enforcement seminar within the preceding three years to be present at all times to monitor the event and ensure compliance with applicable rules and provisions of this chapter.

(c) A person who sponsors an organized event, exhibition or competition under this section or participates in the event as a producer of home-fermented beverages who violates any provision of this section may be fined not more than $1,000.00. (Added 1997, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 5.)