The next Commission meeting will be held Friday, February 12, 2012.

Five citizen commissioners are the policy-making body of the OLCC. They meet monthly for one or two days to make decisions on liquor licenses, rules, contested case hearings and appointments of liquor store agents. Commission meetings are held every other month at OLCC's main office, 9079 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Room 103A in Portland. Subsequent months, the meetings are held via phone.

Forty six distillers in Oregon generated $53.3 million in annual liquor sales in the state, according to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. That is almost 12 percent of Oregon's total liquor sales for 2011. This trend echoes Oregon's DIY spirit seen in the past with Oregon wineries in the 70's and Oregon micro-brews in the 90's. Now Oregon Distilleries are on the rise.

The OLCC distributed over $350 million to Oregon cities; counties; state general fund; as well as mental health, alcohol and drug treatment services in the 2009-2011 biennium.

"We're proud to be the third largest revenue source to the general fund," says Steve Pharo, OLCC executive director. "Crucial services like education, corrections and healthcare need all the assistance we can offer."

Responsible sales and service of alcohol requires a collaborative effort.

The OLCC works with many community partners which are essential in fostering an environment that keeps communities safe and livable, and helps Oregon businesses grow and be successful.

Oregon has been a pioneer in the craft brewing industry since the 1980s, when breweries in the Pacific Northwest sparked the national enthusiasm for micro-brewed craft beers. Today, the same pioneering spirit is fueling the development of the craft distilling industry - the production of small batch, handcrafted distilled spirits in Oregon.

Responding to this growing trend, Oregon law expanded to allow new business opportunities for craft distillers, and to help to promote the industry. Craft distilleries can now offer tasting samples of their products at their distillery or at a separate tasting room, or sell their products by the glass or drink at a restaurant at their distillery or another location.

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