PORTLAND, Maine - The Portland City Council has voted to impose a $500 licensing fee on breweries, wineries and distilleries in the city that have so-called tasting rooms.
A change in state law allows patrons to buy samples of alcoholic beverages from the producers. While the city has licensed the sale of alcohol and food at restaurants and bars, no license has existed for breweries, wineries and distilleries with tasting rooms.
Portland officials say this has led to complaints from local restaurants and bar owners. Spokesperson Jessica Grondin says the city feels the new tasting room fee is fair and appropriate.
"Certainly we want the breweries here. We love that they're here - they're a big piece of our economic vitality and the reason that many people choose to come to Portland," Grondin says. "So we're not trying to penalizing them in any way. This is more about a level playing field for all bar and restaurant owners."
City officials say breweries, wineries and distilleries are now destinations for patrons to drink at their leisure, consume food from food vendors and listen to bands, a model closely resembling bars and restaurants. Grondin says the fee would currently apply to 13 tasting rooms in the city.
