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Special Event Distillery

1. Permits tastings of distilled liquor manufactured by the licensee to the general public.
a. A tasting provided to the general public shall be no more than one-half fluid ounce of distilled liquor in a single container. The container may also contain nonalcoholic beverages; however, the total amount of liquid in the container may be no more than two ounces. A licensee may charge a member of the general public a fee for tastings.
b. A distillery licensee shall not provide more than two and one-half fl uid ounces of distilled liquor per person per license day.
2. Permits tastings of distilled liquor manufactured by the licensee to trade visitors.
a. A tasting provided to a trade visitor shall be no more than one fl uid ounce of distilled liquor in a single container. The container may also contain nonalcoholic beverages; however, the total amount of liquid in the container may be no more than three ounces. A licensee may not charge a trade visitor a fee for tastings.
b. There is no daily limit on distilled liquor tastings provided to a trade visitor.
c. Trade visitors must be distinguished from members of the general public. A “trade visitor” means a person whose job includes the purchase, or recommended purchase, of distilled spirits by a licensee of the Commission or distributors and others in the commercial distribution chain; or a person representing an agency of mass communication, such as television, radio, newspaper, magazine, and internet.
3. Permits sales by the drink of distilled liquor manufactured by the licensee. A “drink” contains more distilled liquor than what is allowed for a “taste” (described in # 1 and # 2 above).
 
4. If the licensee is a DISTILLERY RETAIL OUTLET AGENT, allows the sale of factory-sealed containers of distilled liquor manufactured by the licensee for consumption off the licensed premises of the event. The sale of factory-sealed containers is allowed only from 7AM to 10PM.


​When I provide distilled liquor by the drink at the SED, what amount of food must I provide? 
  • THREE (3) Different Meals: You must provide at all times and in all areas where alcohol service is available at least three different meals.

What constitutes a meal? 
A meal is a food item that is typically served as a main course or entrée. Some examples are fish, steak, chicken, pasta, pizza, and sandwiches. Side dishes, appetizer items, dessert items, and snack items such as popcorn, peanuts, chips, and crackers do not qualify as meals. 

What does “different” mean? 
“Different” means meals that the OLCC determines differ in their primary ingredients or method of preparation. For example, a turkey sandwich differs from a salami sandwich, a beef burger differs from a turkey burger, and fried chicken differs from baked chicken. Different sizes of the same item are not considered different. 

Is there an exception to providing three different meals? 
The OLCC must determine that the clearly dominant emphasis is food service at all times in the area where alcohol service is available in order for you to provide only one meal. The OLCC will work with you to make this determination prior to approving your application. 

What does it mean to provide food service “at all times and in all areas where alcohol service is available”? 
Patrons must be able to obtain food service inside the special event-licensed area. You may use either of the following two methods to provide food service: 
  • Within all areas where alcohol service is available, have the minimum required meals available for patrons at all times; or
  • Within all areas where alcohol service is available, have a menu of the minimum required meals (plus any other items you may choose to include) available for patrons at all times and be able to provide the meals in the area if a patron chooses to order food. The meals could be kept at a location other than the area where the alcohol is served; however, you must be able to provide the meals to the patron in the area where alcohol service is available.

May I use food provided by a contractor or contractors to meet the food requirement? 
Yes, the food service may be provided by someone other than you; however, even if food service is provided by a contractor, you are fully responsible for compliance with the food requirements. You may sell or serve alcohol only when food service that meets the requirement is provided to patrons at all times and in all areas where alcohol service is available.

Who may the contract for the food service be with? 
The contract may be between: 
  • You (the OLCC licensee) and the food service contractor; or
  • The organizer of the event and the food service contractor.
Does the food service contract need to be in writing? 
No, the food service contract does not need to be in writing; however, you may sell or serve alcohol only when food service that meets the requirement is provided to patrons at all times and in all areas where alcohol service is available.



Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) are adopted, repealed and amended by the Oregon legislature and signed into law by the Governor.  
 
Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) are implemented by the OLCC. These regulations are proposed by, adopted, repealed and amended by the OLCC.


You will be working with the office that covers the city or county where your event will be located.

  1. Complete the Special Event Distillery license application.
  2. Before submitting the application to the OLCC, take the completed application to the local government where the event will take place. The local government is either the local city if the event address is within the city's limits, or the county if the event address is outside the city's limits.  Get the application signed by the local government.
  3. Submit the application to the OLCC office that covers the city or county where the event will be located. 
  4. If the attendance per day in the area to be licensed (area where alcohol will be sold or consumed) is 501 or more, you must complete the Plan to Manage Special Events, unless the OLCC exempts you from this requirement.
  5. You may be required to submit an illustration of the licensed area showing the boundaries of the licensed area (Identifying a Special Event Licensed Premises). 

If you need help completing your application, contact the OLCC office where you will be submitting your application packet. 
 
OLCC Office Locations



If you need help completing your application, contact the OLCC office where you will be submitting your application packet. 
 
OLCC Office Locations