Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission

Remember the 70’s when Oregon wineries were just getting their foothold in the market?  And do you recall the boom of the Oregon brewers back in the 90’s? Now, the prosperity of Oregon entrepreneurs is shining on the distillery industry.                                            OLCC has licensed more than 40 Oregon distilleries and the number is growing. Our unique Oregon culture promotes a positive environment for craft distilleries. For example, a distillery license in Oregon costs only $100. Another benefit is that distillers do not have to "buy shelf space" to get their product into stores. Because the OLCC treats all products equally – there are no extra fees that local distillers have to pay to get their products on the shelves of liquor stores. The OLCC w...

Looking for a particular distilled spirits product but don’t know which liquor store carries it or where a store is located? Introducing www.oregonliquorsearch.com - a new website designed by the OLCC to enhance customer service. With the click of a mouse, oregonliquorsearch.com allows customers to search for a specific product and find which stores carry it. You can search by brand name, a distilled spirits category such as vodka or cognac, or by liquor store. Your search returns the entire list of products, size, price, and locations that carry the product. All store locations will be listed, but not all stores currently provide daily liquor inventory. Searches for liquor stores give the address, phone number, and directions through Google Maps. Liquor agents are independent contractors who have the flexibility to set their own hours. Customers can check to see their local store’s hours by searching by location. “To me, it’s all about improving customer service,” said Jim MacAlista...

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission is celebrating the agency’s 75th anniversary. The OLCC was established in 1933 just days after the national repeal of prohibition . On Dec. 15, 1933, Gov. Julius Meier signed the Liquor Control Act, giving the state exclusive rights to sell distilled spirits and fortified wine as well as the authority to license private businesses to sell beer and table wine by the bottle and the glass. "The OLCC is committed to promoting public safety and supporting economic development,” said OLCC Executive Director, Steven Pharo. “The work we do enables business people to be viable in their sale of alcohol while ensuring that customer interests are met in a socially responsible manner.” Over the years, the OLCC has seen many successes including the Alcohol Server Education Program, Responsible Vendor Program, Clerk Training Program, and enforcement of Oregon’s Bottle Bill. "The OLCC is committed to promoting public safety and supporting economic develo...

This Friday, Dec. 5 marks the 75th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition, ending the 13-year stretch when alcohol was banned from coast to coast. In January 1920, the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution went into effect making the sale, manufacture and transportation of alcohol illegal nationally. But, many years before that - even before Oregon was a state, Oregonians tried to control the manufacture and sale of liquor. The Anti-Saloon League, the leading prohibitionist organization in the early 20th century. In June of 1844, Oregon's provisional government enacted a prohibition law designed to “prevent the introduction, sale and distillation of ardent spirits in Oregon.” This law remained in effect until September of 1849, when the territorial legislature repealed it. Rather than total prohibition, Oregon passed various laws in the following decades designed to regulate liquor sales. These acts tended to specify certain licensing criteria for the selling of liquor, and in...

Alcohol sales are not restricted in Oregon on Election Day. Liquor stores are open, operating as usual during their normal business hours. State law allows liquor store operators to open or close at their discretion on Sundays and holidays. Election Day is not one of the nine state holidays defined by state law. Please call your local liquor store to determine their normal operating hours. Phone numbers are available at the OLCC’s Web site: http://www.olcc.state.or.us/pdfs/liquor_store_list.pdf . Election Day is Tuesday, November 4. Don't forget to vote!

From time to time, we receive questions on whether the OLCC requires anyone buying or being served alcohol to have a valid ID on them. The OLCC requires licensees to check ID of anyone who reasonably appears 26 years old or younger. An establishment might have a restriction on their liquor license due to a history of serving alcohol to minors or allowing minors in prohibited areas. In this case, it could be that a licensed business is required to check the ID of every person entering the establishment or being sold/served alcoholic beverages. Or, a business can choose to have a stricter ID policy than what the state requires. If you’re at a restaurant with your underage friend or relative, you might not be served - even if you have the ID to show you’re of age. Some businesses will refuse service if they suspect that you might furnish the alcoholic beverage to a minor at your table. Current accepted forms of ID include a valid state driver license with a photo; a valid DMV ID card wit...

We are often asked if businesses that sell alcohol to go are required to place the alcohol in a bag. There is no law in Oregon which requires retailers to bag alcohol. Some retailers have their own store policy which may make it a requirement.

The perspectives on self-serve are derived from years of study into public safety and the positive effects of human interaction during alcohol purchases. Recently, a new product, the Enomatic Wine Preservation System has appeared in the Northwest. The machine provides a longer shelf-life and a measured pour, reducing waste and saving money. An extra feature is the Enomatic Wine Card, which allows a patron to purchase a pre-paid card then self-serve their wine at the machine. Every Oregon business that serves alcohol is required by Oregon statute to have a person with a valid service permit sell, mix and dispense alcoholic beverages. As long as a valid service permit holder dispenses the wine, the Enomatic Wine Preservation System is legally compliant. Several machines are currently being used in Oregon, but they are behind the bar and are operated legally by servers with valid permits. It is worth mentioning that the Enomatic Wine Card can also serve a function behind the bar to pre...

Actually, the OLCC offers about 1,700 different distilled spirits items. The distribution center regularly carries about 1,300 items, and that number swells by at least 30 percent when adding special orders and one-time product offerings. Customers are responding enthusiastically to the wide variety of new distilled spirits and the agency continues to expand its product line to meet the demand. By continually evaluating the product line, the OLCC provides consumers with new beverage varieties as they are introduced and eliminates non-performing items.