On March 11, 2021, the office of Governor Newsom announced that the “meal requirement” for brewery tasting rooms will be REMOVED as of March 13, 2021! This means that starting this weekend, your brewery tasting room can open without the requirement for customers to purchase a meal in the same transaction as alcohol. ALL alcohol beverage manufacturers are now treated EQUALLY in reopening guidance – including breweries, distilleries, and wineries.
The Department of Public Health also announced a few temporary conditions for breweries, wineries, and distilleries that do not serve meals:
- Purple (widespread) and Red (substantial) tiers: Open outdoors only. Patrons have reservations and observe a 90-minute time limit. Service for on-site consumption must end by 8 p.m. (Previously, and through March 12, breweries and distilleries not serving meals were closed in the Purple and Red tiers).
- Orange (moderate) tier: Indoor operations may begin with 25 percent of maximum capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer.
- Yellow (minimal) tier: Indoor operations may increase to 50 percent of maximum capacity or 200 people, whichever is fewer.
The updated guidance does not apply to breweries, wineries, and distilleries that provide meals. Those establishments should continue to follow restaurant guidance. More information on these requirements for brewery tasting rooms available here (page 3).