Subdivision 1. Definition. For purposes of this section, an "alcoholic beverage tasting" or "tasting" means an event at which persons pay a fee or donation to participate, and are allowed to consume wine, malt liquor, or both, by the glass without paying a separate charge for each glass.

Subd. 2. Tastings authorized. (a) A charitable, religious, or other nonprofit organization may conduct a tasting of not more than four hours duration on premises the organization owns or leases or has use donated to it, or on the licensed premises of a holder of an on-sale intoxicating liquor license that is not a temporary license, if the organization holds a temporary on-sale intoxicating liquor license under section 340A.404, subdivision 10, and complies with this section. An organization holding a temporary license may be assisted in conducting the tasting by another nonprofit organization.

(b) An organization that conducts a tasting under this section may use the net proceeds from the tasting only for:

(1) the organization's primary nonprofit purpose; or

(2) donation to another nonprofit organization assisting in the tasting, if the other nonprofit organization uses the donation only for that organization's primary nonprofit purpose.

(c) No wine or malt liquor at a tasting under this section may be sold, or orders taken, for off-premises consumption.

(d) Notwithstanding any other law, an organization may purchase or otherwise obtain wine or malt liquor for a tasting conducted under this section from a wholesaler licensed to sell wine or malt liquor, and the wholesaler may sell or give wine or malt liquor to an organization for a tasting conducted under this section and may provide personnel to assist in the tasting. A wholesaler who sells or gives wine or malt liquor to an organization for a tasting under this section must deliver the wine or malt liquor directly to the location where the tasting is conducted.

(e) This section does not prohibit or restrict a tasting that is:

(1) located on on-sale premises where no charitable organization is participating; or

(2) located on on-sale premises where the proceeds are for a designated charity but where the tasting is primarily for educational purposes.

(f) The four-hour limitation specified in paragraph (a) shall not apply to a tasting at a convention of fine wine, malt liquor, and gourmet food exhibitors, provided the convention has at least 100 exhibitors and takes place over not more than three days.

History: 1994 c 611 s 25; 1996 c 418 s 10; 2005 c 131 s 6; 2013 c 42 s 7