(a) A package or sealed container of beer shall not be sold in this state without having a label affixed to such package or container. The label shall meet the requirements of federal malt beverage labeling regulations contained in Parts 7 and 16 of Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations, regardless of whether the label is subject to approval by the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau or any successor agency.
(b) (1) In addition to label requirements pursuant to subdivision (a), if not already included, the following information shall appear on the label:
(A) The brand, and class or type, of beer.
(B) The true and correct name and address of the manufacturer of the beer. For purposes of this provision, if multiple beer manufacturers are involved in the production of the beer pursuant to a joint venture or other collaborative arrangement, each of those manufacturers may be identified on the label.
(C) The true and correct name of the bottler of the beer, if other than the manufacturer.
(D) A statement of alcoholic content if the beer contains more than 5.7 percent alcohol by volume.
(2) For purposes of this subdivision, the true and correct name of a manufacturer, bottler, or packager shall be deemed to include a fictitious business name for which the manufacturer, bottler, or packager has duly filed a fictitious business name statement pursuant to Section 17900.
(c) Prior to the first sale of a brand of beer in this state, the manufacturer of that beer shall register the brand with the department. Upon the filing of the registration with the department, the brand may be sold in this state without further action by the department. The registration shall include the following:
(1) The true name and address of the actual manufacturer of the beer.
(2) Any fictitious business name of the manufacturer under which the beer is manufactured.
(3) The class or type of beer and all brand names under which the beer is to be sold in this state.
(4) If manufactured under contract for another beer manufacturer or other person, the true name of such other beer manufacturer or person.
(5) If manufactured pursuant to a joint venture or other collaborative arrangement, the name and address of all manufacturers involved in the joint venture or other collaborative arrangement.
(d) The manufacturer of the beer shall be responsible for compliance with the requirements of this section. In the case of beer manufactured pursuant to a joint venture or other collaborative arrangement, only the actual manufacturer of the beer need comply.
(e) If beer is sold or offered for sale in this state without first complying with the provisions of this section, or violates any other provision of this division, the department may take such action as it deems reasonable and necessary, including, but not limited to, ordering that the beer no longer be sold or offered for sale until such time as the requirements of this section are complied with. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit the department from permitting beer that is sold or offered for sale in this state that does not comply with the requirements of this section to continue to be sold or offered for sale for a reasonable period of time to allow the manufacturer to meet the requirements of this section.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 410, Sec. 2. (AB 893) Effective January 1, 2016.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018