W. Va. Code § 11-16-11C — WV Code / Chapter 11 / Article 16 / Section 11C
§11-16-11c. Unlicensed brewer or unlicensed home brewer temporary license; fees; requirements.
Status: in_force

(a) An unlicensed brewer or home brewer may obtain a temporary special license, upon meeting the requirements set forth in this section, to offer its nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer for sampling and sales at a fair and festival licensed under §11-16-11 and §11-16-11b of this code, when granted approval by the fair and festival licensee. The unlicensed brewer or home brewer is exempt from the requirements of registering the brand and using a distributor and a franchise agreement due to the limited nature of this temporary license.

(b) An unlicensed brewer or home brewer is subject to the limits, taxes, fees, requirements, restrictions, and penalties set forth in this article: Provided , That the commissioner may, by rule or order, provide for certain waivers or exceptions with respect to the provisions, laws, rules, or orders as required by the circumstances of each festival or fair. The commissioner may revoke or suspend any license issued pursuant to this section prior to any notice or hearing, notwithstanding the provisions §11-16-23 and §11-16-24 of this code: Provided, however , That under no circumstances shall the provisions of §11-16-8(a)(1), §11-16-8(a)(2), and §11-16-8(a)(3) of this code, be waived nor shall any exception be granted with respect to those provisions.

(c) A brewer or home brewer, regardless or of its designation in its domicile state, that is duly licensed and in good standing in its domicile state, but unlicensed in this state, or an unlicensed brewer or home brewer that is a resident of West Virginia, shall pay a $150 nonrefundable and non-prorated fee and submit an application for a temporary license on a one-day basis. The temporary special license allows the unlicensed brewer or home brewer to sell nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer to a licensed fair or festival for the sampling and sale of the nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer for on-premises consumption at the licensed fair or festival. The brewer or home brewer shall pay all taxes due and the appropriate markup on the nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer.

(2) The unlicensed brewer or home brewer temporary license application shall include, but is not limited to, the person or entity’s name, address, taxpayer identification number, and location; if the unlicensed brewer or home brewer is from out of state, a copy of its licensure in its domicile state; a signed and notarized verification that it produces 25,000 barrels or less of nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer per year; a signed and notarized verification that it is in good standing with its domicile state; copies of its federal certificate of label approvals and a certified lab alcohol analysis for the nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer it plans to sell to a fair or festival licensed under §11-16-11 and §11-16-11b of this code; and any other information required by the commissioner.

(3) The applicant shall include in its application a list of all nonintoxicating beers or nonintoxicating craft beers it proposes to provide, in sealed containers, to a licensed fair or festival for sampling or sale so that the commissioner may review them in the interest of public health and safety. Once approved, the submitted nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer list creates a temporary nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer brand registration for up to two days at any event licensed under §11-16-11 and §11-16-11b of this code, for no additional fee.

(4) An applicant that receives this temporary license for any event licensed under §11-16-11 and §11-16-11b of this code shall provide a signed and notarized agreement acknowledging that it is the applicant’s duty to pay all municipal, local, and sales taxes applicable to the sale of nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer in West Virginia.

(5) The unlicensed brewer or home brewer shall submit an application for each temporary special license sought for an event licensed under §11-16-11 and §11-16-11b of this code, at which the applicant proposes to provide nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer for sampling or sale. The license fee covers up to two separate one-day licenses for the event before an additional fee is required. Any applicant desiring to attend more than four events per year or otherwise operate in West Virginia shall seek appropriate licensure as a brewery or resident brewery in this state.

(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of this article and requirements for licensure, brand registration, franchise requirements, payment of beer barrel tax, and the appointment of a distributor franchise network, this temporary special license for an event licensed under §11-16-11 and §11-16-11b of this code, once granted, permits the licensee to operate in this limited capacity only at the approved specific, events licensed under §11-16-11 and §11-16-11b of this code, subject to the limitations noted in this section.

(7) The applicant shall also apply for and receive a nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer transportation permit in order to legally transport nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer in the state as required by §11-16-10(f) of this code: Provided , That the commissioner may not charge or collect an additional fee for a nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer transportation permit to an applicant seeking a temporary special license under this section.

(8) The licensee is subject to all applicable violations and/or penalties under this article and related legislative rules that are not otherwise excepted by this section: Provided , That the commissioner may by rule or order provide for certain waivers or exceptions with respect to the provisions of this code, rules, or orders required by the circumstances of each festival or fair. The commissioner may revoke or suspend any license issued pursuant to this section prior to any notice or hearing notwithstanding the provisions of §11-16-23 and §11-16-24 of this code: Provided, however , That under no circumstances shall the provisions of §11-16-8(a)(1), §11-16-8(a)(2), and §11-16-8(a)(3) of this code, be waived nor shall any exception be granted with respect to those provisions.