New CT Law Will Allow Beer Sales At Vineyards, Wine At Breweries

CONNECTICUT —There are many great wineries and craft breweries in Connecticut, but the challenge has been deciding whether to confine to wine or beer for an outing due to the Nutmeg State’s alcohol laws. Starting next year breweries will be able to sell Connecticut-made wine and visa versa for the vineyards.

The change is part of a sweeping law that was written with the intent of boosting Connecticut’s growing craft beer and vineyard industry. The bill had almost unanimous support in the state House and Senate and was signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont earlier in the year.

The law also streamlines the state’s permitting structure to reduce the number of permits needed to manufacture and sell alcoholic beverages. It will allos craft breweries to hold multiple manufacturing permits so they can make wine, cider and spirits under one roof.

Hawk Ridge Winery in Watertown announced that it is looking to offer cans of beer in January and hopefully get kegs on tap in the future, according to the Republican-American. Co-owner Michele McHugh told the Republican-American that many wine enthusiasts have partners that don’t like wine, but do enjoy craft beer.

The new law also will allow beer manufacturers to sell nine gallons a day to a person for off-premises consumption. That is up from nine liters.

Out-of-state retailers will be able to ship wine that isn’t available in Connecticut.

Connecticut’s craft beer industry employs around 800 people as of December 2018, according to the state Department of Labor.