Wouldn’t it be great if whenever you toured breweries or distilleries that you could actually buy the products you’re tasting on site?
Well, you could be able to do just that very soon thanks to new legislation approved by the Cabinet. At the moment, breweries need a pub license before being legally allowed to sell their products to visitors.
This legislation, which was first proposed by Labour TD Alan Kelly, must now work its way through the Oireachtas.
There is one catch though – visitors will have to tour the premises before purchasing the alcohol, which we doubt many would have an issue with it.
Should the legislation pass, microbreweries would be allowed to sell their drinks on site between 10am and 6pm, following a guided tour.
The craft breweries seeking to sell their products on site will have to apply to the courts for a certificate before the license would be granted. They’d also be subject to annual renewals.
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan said that allowing visitors who have completed a craft brewery or distillery tour to purchase alcohol on the premises will “add to the visitor experience”.