Spirit Tasting Special License Application Instructions
Compliance with Liquor Control Code and Administrative Rules
Organizations receiving a Spirits Tasting Special License must comply with the laws of the State of Michigan and the rules of the MLCC regarding the sale, furnishing, and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Organizations receiving a Special License are responsible for ensuring that all those who will be selling and serving alcoholic beverages are familiar with and will follow the state's liquor laws and rules of the Commission. Organizations receiving a Beer Festival Special License shall comply with all state and local building, plumbing, zoning, sanitation, and health laws, rules, and ordinances as determined by the state and local law enforcement officials who have jurisdiction over the license, pursuant to administrative rule R 436.1003.
The Licensing Process
To ensure timely processing, your complete application must be received at least ten (10) business days before the date for which the license is requested. Failure to submit all of the necessary information and fees will delay the processing of your application.
License Period
A Spirits Tasting Special License is good for a limited time period as approved by the Commission. The applicant organization may receive a Spirits Tasting Festival Special License for up to six (6) events in a calendar year. The fee is $25.00 per day of an event. The event must have a primary purpose of showcasing beer and its production.
Qualifying Organizations
A Spirits Tasting Special License is issued only to nonprofit associations that are comprised of Vendors of Spirits, Small Distiller Licensees, Broker Licensees, and Authorized Distribution Agents. If your organization has not previously provided proof of your nonprofit status (e.g. Charter, Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, IRS tax exempt verification, etc.) or if the organization has changed structure since its last request for a Spirits Tasting Special License, you must submit proof of nonprofit status with this application and proof your organization is comprised of Vendors of Spirits, Small Distiller Licensees, Broker Licensees, and Authorized Distribution Agents and submit a list of the licensees that comprise the organization. Applicants for a Special License must be at least 21 years of age. All profits derived from the sale of alcoholic beverages must go to the organization itself and not to any individual, pursuant to administrative rule R 436.574.
Resolution from Applicant Organization
A certified copy of the resolution of the membership or board of directors authorizing the application must accompany the application, pursuant to administrative rule R 436.576. A certified copy of your organization's minutes may also be submitted. A resolution is not required for applications by a candidate committee. See Page 5 of the LCC-113 form for a resolution template that you may use.
Detailed Diagram
The applicant organization must provide a detailed diagram of the event location to be licensed to both the Michigan Liquor Control Commission and to the local law enforcement agency. The diagram must show a clearly marked area for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, must distinguish between indoor and outdoor service areas, must contain the dimensions of the areas to be licensed, and must clearly mark and describe the type and height of the containment barrier to be used for any outdoor service area. The diagram must also demonstrate how the applicant organization plans to control the event location in order to prevent sales to minors and sales to visibly intoxicated persons.
Local Law Enforcement Approval
The applicant organization must provide a copy of its event location diagram to the local law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the event location to be reviewed by the law enforcement agency. The local law enforcement agency must certify that it has reviewed the application and has approved the issuance of the Special License(s) by completing and signing Part 5 on Page 4 of the LCC-113 form.
Churches and Schools
If the event location is located within 500 feet of a church or school, the applicant organization must obtain the consent of the church or school. The church or school may consent to a Beer Festival Special License being issued at an event location by completing and signing Part 6 on Page 4 of the LCC-113 form. A church or school within 500 feet of the event location may object based on such the sale of alcohol at the location adversely affecting the church or school's operations. If a proper objection is filed, the Commission shall hold a hearing to determine whether the granting of the application will adversely affect the operation of the church or school.
Existing Licensee Escrow / Drop Space Request
Two licenses held by different entities cannot be issued for the same location at the same time. If an applicant for a Beer Festival Special License would like to have an event at a location with an existing liquor license, such as a Class C or Club license, the existing license must be placed into escrow or the space to be used by the Special License applicant temporarily dropped from the licensed premises of the existing licensee. If the event location where you are requesting a Special License is currently licensed by the Commission, the existing licensee must place its license into escrow during the date(s) and time(s) for which the Special License(s) will be issued at the location or temporarily drop space from its licensed premises. The existing licensee may request to escrow its license by completing and signing Part 7 on Page 4 of the LCC-113 form or by submitting a letter requesting the license to be placed in to escrow during the event date(s) and time(s). Alternatively, if the existing licensee would like to drop space temporarily from its licensed premises during the event date(s) and time(s), it must submit a letter to the Commission requesting the temporary dropping of space, accompanied by a diagram showing the area where the license will temporarily drop space from its licensed premises to accommodate the applicant organization. If the event location will be in the unlicensed hall of a licensee that holds a Club license, please indicate this on the diagram.
State Land Approval
If the event location is situated in or on state owned land, you must obtain and submit documentary proof of approval to use the state-owned land. If the state-owned land is a military installation, approval of and operation under a Beer Festival Special License on military property is subject to all the regulations of the Department of Military Affairs and the provisions of the Liquor Control Code and administrative rules.
Beer Festival Special License and Permit Fees
The Spirits Tasting Special License fee is $25.00 per day of the event. In addition, if any spirits will be served on a Sunday between 7:00AM and 12:00 Noon, an additional $160.00 Sunday Sales Permit (A.M.) fee is required. If any spirits will be served on a Sunday after 12:00 Noon, an additional $3.75 Sunday Sales Permit (P.M.) fee is required.
The fees must be paid by check, bank, or postal money order, or by credit card, using the attached Credit Card Authorization Form (LCC-300). Checks and money orders should be made payable to State of Michigan.
If you plan to use the Credit Card Authorization Form, fax the completed Credit Card Authorization form with your completed Special License Application form to the secure fax line at 517-284-8557. DO NOT EMAIL OR MAIL THE CREDIT CARD AUTHORIZATION FORM. Requests with credit card payments that are not faxed to the secure fax line will be destroyed along with the credit card authorization in order to ensure the security of applicants’ personal credit card numbers.
Mail/Fax Information
- You may mail your application with payment to: Michigan Liquor Control Commission, P.O. Box 30005, Lansing, MI 48909
- You may send your application with payment via overnight service to: Michigan Liquor Control Commission, 2407 N. Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906
- You may fax your application with the Credit Card Authorization Form to the secured fax line: 517-284-8557
DO NOT EMAIL OR MAIL THE CREDIT CARD AUTHORIZATION FORM. Requests with credit card payments that are not faxed to the secure fax line will be destroyed along with the credit card authorization in order to ensure the security of applicants’ personal credit card numbers.
For questions or additional information about Special Licenses, contact the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, toll-free, at 866-813-0011, and select Option #1 for Special Licenses.
