Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission

by Christie Scott You may have heard some say that liquor is cheaper in California. The facts are that only a handful of products are significantly lower, while most products are very competitive. In fact, after you’ve added in the California sales tax, many popular products in Oregon are actually less expensive. Many retail stores in states like California use a sales tactic called “loss leaders.” This is the practice of drastically marking down a few popular, fast-moving products to entice customers into coming into the store and purchasing other products. But then other products are likely marked higher to make up the cost difference. The OLCC does not use these techniques to entice people into liquor stores. For public safety reasons, the state does not try to encourage alcohol sales or try to entice people into the stores. The most common size bottle sold in Oregon is 750 ml also known as "fifths." Most people who purchase alcohol purchase this size - a...

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...

by Joy Spencer Recent media attention has raised questions by many about a booth operated by the Oregon Bartenders’ Guild that is selling hard liquor.  Hopefully we can clear up some of the confusion as to how allowing this booth to temporarily sell alcohol is different than issuing an annual license to a food cart.    For years, OLCC has allowed food carts or “open-air booths” to have temporary sales licenses.  What we believe caught the attention of the news media is that this particular temporary sales license is positioned in a popular food cart area in Southeast Portland. Given the timing of the OLCC’s current discussion of what legal options are available in regard to issuing annual licenses to food carts - we can understand the reporters’ confusion.  There will be an informational presentation on the topic of issuing an annual license (like that issued to a bar or restaurant) to a food cart during the Commission this month in Bend. ...

by Joy Spencer From Thanksgiving to New Year's, the holidays often involve celebrating with alcoholic beverages -- including the traditional toast. This year, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission has partnered with distillers and local TV stations to air responsible drinking messages, reminding Oregonians to celebrate the holidays safely. "Responsible drinking affects us all. That's why we've joined forces with our business partners to create these messages," says Rudy Williams, OLCC Deputy Director of Public Safety Services Program. "So many wonderful memories are created during the holidays. Let's not ruin it with an alcohol-related tragedy." Three Public Service Announcement campaigns have launched on KGW, KPTV and KOIN. A different distiller sponsors each campaign. Bacardi has sponsored the PSA on KGW, Crown Royal is funding the campaign on KPTV and Hood River Distillers is financing the announcement on KOIN. Each campaign w...

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.