District of Columbia Mayor Signs Law Establishing Wine, Brew, Distillery Pub Endorsement Fees

The District of Columbia Mayor Dec. 23 signed a law amending alcoholic beverages provisions for excise tax purposes. The law includes measures: 1) increasing the alcohol by volume percentage for wine to 21 percent from 15 percent; 2) establishing pub endorsement fees; 3) defining the endorsement requirements and qualifications for brew pubs, wine pubs, and distillery pubs; 4) allowing class C or D on-premises retailer’s licenses to apply for one or more of the pub endorsements; and 5) establishing a minimum off-site production fee of $500 per year for all pub endorsement holders. The law takes effect after a 30 ...