In yet another reversal, some breweries are now presumably allowed to open for onsite consumption.
In mid-July, the TABC advised Saint Arnold Brewing Company to abruptly shut down its beer garden and restaurant operations because the Governor’s office advised them that their distribution sales counted as part of the 51% revenue calculation. Further, there was no advanced warning, (which is no surprise at this point). This past Friday, the TABC posted new guidance about the 51% revenue calculation excluding beer sales to distributors and beer-to-go sales:
So what does that mean? Aside from the breweries that are currently allowed to operate for onsite consumption, this allows a brewery that sells food, merchandise, etc. on-premise (as part of their revenue stream) to operate within the Texas COVID-19 guidelines as long as their other sales exceed on-premise beer sales at the 51% level. In a nutshell, breweries like Austin Beerworks, Saint Arnold, and others across the state, specifically those that serve food on-site, are now allowed to open to the public.
Please check with any brewery before heading out to ensure you are following their guidelines, including a potential requirement to order food with your beer.
Editor’s note: we are doing our damn best to bring you the news as we understand it. That being said, things are absolutely confusing and irrational. If you have any information to further clarify the state of the industry, we welcome your insight.
Feature image courtesy of Saint Arnold Brewing Company
