We are a big fan of saying that liquor laws often make absolutely no sense. Case in point.
Did you know that Tennessee liquor laws require your store to have a food store or retail liquor store license in order to sell non-alcoholic wine? Non-alcoholic wine requires a liquor license.
Who would have thunk?
State law specifically provides that “products or beverages containing less than one-half of one percent (0.5%)” are not alcoholic beverages. No license is needed to sell non-alcoholic beer, for example.
Except wine. For reasons unknown, wine containing less than one-half percent (0.5%) ABV is considered an alcoholic beverage, requires a liquor license, and cannot be sold to anyone under 21 years of age.
We find ourselves humming the infectious one-hit wonder by Looking Glass:
And there's a girl in this harbor town
And she works layin' whiskey down
They say, Brandy, fetch another round
She serves them whiskey and wine
Strangely so, non-alcoholic whiskey does not require a liquor license and can be sold to minors. Crazy liquor laws.
About Our Author
Will Cheek is a Partner at Adams and Reese. He leads the Tennessee Retail Team of the firm's Alcohol and Hospitality practice. Often referenced as the go-to liquor lawyer in Tennessee, Will counsels both local and national clients on licensing and regulatory compliance under Tennessee state and local liquor and beer laws. Will counsels distilleries, wineries, breweries and contract manufacturers on production, distribution and marketing, including complex federal and state tied house issues.