Virginia allowing distillers to ship directly to consumers

Virginia’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) will allow distilleries to ship liquor directly to consumers within the state subject to a stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The change, which only applies to the approximately 45 Virginia distilleries with existing agreements with ABC to produce and sell their products, is part of an effort to reduce economic fallout from pandemic-related shutdowns.

“Virginia distilleries contribute to the economic vitality of the commonwealth and it’s important that they have some flexibility in how they are able to provide their products to consumers while their tasting rooms are closed,” ABC CEO Travis Hill said in a statement.

“The Virginia Distillers Association is a key partner in working with our distillery store agents to craft responsible policy solutions to address the unprecedented circumstances of this crisis. This temporary addendum to distillery store agreements is one example of many since this crisis where we have provided our licensees with relief from regulatory challenges in areas where we have the authority to do so,” he added.

The policy will allow distilleries to ship spirits and “low-alcohol beverage coolers” to consumers and licensed restaurants, but restricts them to selling six bottles of spirits or two cases of coolers per month to any one consumer or licensee. Bottles are limited to 1.75 liters.

Gov. Ralph Northam (D) last month listed ABC stores as essential businesses under the terms of the state’s stay-at-home order.