Maryland recently made a number of legislative changes to attract new distilleries, including a new license class for small distilleries with greater on-premises serving allowances. The State has also created a new license class allowing for easier distillery self-distribution.
Quickly jumping on the distillery train, Montgomery County—known for being a unique “control county”—has also broadened their local allowances to attract distilleries in the D.C. Metro Area. Now certain Limited Distilleries can be located in Commercial and other Light/Moderate Industrial zones, due to a recent interpretation by the Department of Zoning. Further, the Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control (MCDLC) has affected legislation for the creation of the required on-premises licenses, which should be available sometime early 2017.
Maryland, and Montgomery County in particular, is being very progressive with their ABC laws, and will soon be able to compete with Washington D.C. and Virginia.
If you need any assistance, or would like to speak with an attorney about about Maryland or Montgomery County distilleries, please contact us.
