Liquor Control Division
The Department of Consumer Protection safeguards the health and safety of Connecticut citizens by regulating all persons and firms involved in distributing, selling, and dispensing alcoholic liquor in order to prevent sales to minors and intoxicated persons, maintain product integrity, and ensure that licensed premises are safe and sanitary.
Through the Liquor Control Division, the Department enforces the Connecticut Liquor Control Act and its corresponding regulations. The Division is the primary investigative arm of the
Connecticut Liquor Control Commission.
Liquor control agents regularly provide training to local and state police officers about enforcement of the Liquor Control Act and on strategies that discourage underage drinking.
NEW! Special Announcement on Liquor Orders and Deliveries
With the arrival of Hurricane Sandy and the anticipated widespread disruption within the industry, the Department is now allowing liquor retailers to order October 2012 product through Sunday, November 4, 2012, and now allowing for those products to be delivered through Thursday, November 8, 2012.
It is also reasonable to assume that retailers may be unable to remit payment to wholesalers within the required timeline due to store closings, wholesalers’ inability to deliver and contact retailers, bank closings, and other factors. With that in mind, wholesalers should accept payment for previous orders through November 4, 2012 without penalty to your retail customers.
The Department will be monitoring the situation and will issue updates as needed.
Rules for Discounted Items
Connecticut General Statutes Section 30-68m, as amended by Public Act 12-17, allows the holder of a package store permit, grocery store beer permit, or druggist liquor permit to sell one beer item or one item of alcoholic liquor below cost each month, provided that item is not discounted more than 10%. (To view current discounts, see bulleted items, above.)
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“Cost” for alcoholic liquor equals the posted bottle price from the wholesaler, plus any charge for shipping or delivery to the retailer’s place of business paid by the retailer. Most wholesalers include the delivery or shipping charge in the posted bottle price, but some do not. If you are unsure, consult with your wholesaler.
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“Cost” for beer equals the lowest posted price during the month in which the retailer is selling, plus any charge for shipping or delivery to the retailer’s place of business paid by the retailer. Most wholesalers include the delivery or shipping charge in the posted bottle price, but some may not. If you are unsure, consult with your wholesaler.
Retailers who choose to discount one beer item or alcoholic liquor product must use the DCP online electronic posting system, Liquor Monthly Discounted Items for Retailers.
( https://www.biznet.ct.gov/DCP_LiquorControl_Retailers )
If you are a permittee and need to create an account, and would like some assistance, please select this link for video instruction. Follow the screen prompts to post your item. Post only one discounted price per month, after the 20th day of the preceding month and before the end of the 2nd day of the month in which the discounted price will be in effect.
Do not send postings of discounted items to the Department of Consumer Protection by regular mail or by facsimile as they will not be accepted. You must use the online posting system.
Package Stores May Conduct Wine Classes and Sell Additional Items With the enactment of Public Act 12-17, the following commodities may also be offered for sale, in addition to what was previously allowed to be sold in package stores:
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Complementary fresh fruits used in the preparation of mixed alcoholic beverages;
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Cheese or crackers, or both;
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Olives
Common examples of complementary fresh fruits used in the preparation of mixed alcoholic beverages include, but are not limited to, lemons and limes. Package store permittess are encouraged to check with their local health official or sanitarian to see if there any additional permits or licenses needed before they expand into these sales.
Package stores may conduct fee-based wine education and tasting classes at the store during the days and hours they are allowed to be open to sell alcoholic liquor.
Farmer's Markets May Sell Connecticut Wine on Sundays
With the passage and signing of Public Act 12-17, any permitted Connecticut farm winery that also holds a farmer’s market wine sales permit may now sell their wine on Sundays between the hours of 8:00am and 9:00pm, as long as the farmer’s market is open to the public during those times. These hours are dependent upon compliance with local ordinance.
Sunday Sales Legal in Connecticut
Package stores may now be open on Sundays from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Package stores also may now be open on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day from 8:00am to 9:00pm. and on the Mondays following any Independence Day, Christmas, or New Year’s Day which falls on a Sunday.
Grocery stores licensed to sell beer may now sell beer on Sundays from 10am to 5pm. Grocery stores may also sell beer from 8:00am to 9:00pm on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, and on the Mondays following any Independence Day, Christmas, or New Year’s Day which falls on a Sunday.
Local ordinances may be more restrictive; package store permittees and grocery stores permittees should contact their respective towns to ensure that their town ordinances do not otherwise restrict or prohibit the sales on Sundays from 10am to 5pm, or have any other prohibitions or restrictions.
SetTheRulesCT.org -- a website that gives parents support in helping to reduce underage drinking
Contact:
Department of Consumer Protection
Liquor Control Division
165 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: (860) 713-6200
dcp.liquorcontrol@ct.gov
Content Last Modified on 10/31/2012 9:10:28 AM
