Amends TCA Title 57, Chapter 3 and Title 57, Chapter 5.

ON MARCH 13, 2023, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 411, AS AMENDED.<br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #1 rewrites this bill to revise the definition of "wine" and "beer," as described below.<br /> <br /> LOCAL OPTION – TRAFFIC IN INTOXICATING LIQUORS<br /> <br /> Under present law provisions relative to traffic in intoxicating liquors, "wine" is defined as the product of the normal alcoholic fermentation of the juice of fresh, sound, ripe grapes, with the usual cellar treatment and necessary additions to correct defects due to climatic, saccharine and seasonal conditions, including champagne, sparkling and fortified wine of an alcoholic content not to exceed 21 percent by volume. No other product can be called wine unless designated by appropriate prefixes descriptive of the fruit or other product from which the same was predominantly produced, or an artificial or imitation wine. This amendment adds that "wine" also means the product of the normal alcoholic fermentation of the juice of dried grapes; fruit; or other agricultural products. <br /> <br /> BEER<br /> <br /> Under present law provisions regulating beer, "beer" means beer, ale or other malt beverages, or any other beverages having an alcoholic content of not more than eight percent by weight, except wine. However, no more than 49 percent of the overall alcoholic content of such beverage may be derived from the addition of flavors and other nonbeverage ingredients containing alcohol. <br /> <br /> This amendment deletes the present law definition and, instead, provides that "beer" means products made from the normal alcoholic fermentation of malt or other cereal grains, sugar, or fruit ingredients used to make cider, and having an alcoholic content of not more than 8 percent alcohol by weight and that do not contain distilled spirits or wine as long as at least 51 percent of the overall alcoholic content by weight in the finished product is obtained by the fermentation of malt, other cereal grains, sugar, or fruit ingredients used to make cider, and no more than 49 percent of the overall alcoholic content by weight in the finished product is obtained by the addition of flavorings or other non-beverage ingredients containing alcohol. <br /> <br /> SALE OF WINE IN RETAIL STORES<br /> <br /> Under present law provisions relative to regulating the sale of wine in retail stores, "wine" is defined as the product of the normal alcoholic fermentation of the juice of fresh, sound, ripe grapes, with the usual cellar treatment and necessary additions to correct defects due to climatic, saccharine and seasonal conditions, including champagne, sparkling and fortified wine of an alcoholic content not to exceed 21 percent by volume. No other product can be called wine unless designated by appropriate prefixes descriptive of the fruit or other product from which the same was predominantly produced, or an artificial or imitation wine. This amendment adds that "wine" also means the product of the normal alcoholic fermentation of the juice of dried grapes; fruit; or other agricultural products.<br />