LAW WITHOUT
GOVERNOR'S CHAPTER
SIGNATURE
315
JUNE 15, 2025 PUBLIC LAW
STATE OF MAINE
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IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FIVE
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H.P. 662 - L.D. 1033
An Act to Regulate Alcoholic Beverage Competitions
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 28-A MRSA §1057 is enacted to read:
§1057. Liquor judging competition event permit
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the
following terms have the following meanings.
A. "Homemade liquor" means malt liquor, wine or hard cider made by a person's own
efforts in the person's home for personal use that is not offered for sale and that does
not contain added spirits.
B. "Liquor judging competition event" means an event where judges evaluate entries
of malt liquor, wine, hard cider or spirits, except for homemade spirits, based on a set
of criteria to determine a winner of the competition.
2. Liquor judging competition event permit; eligibility. One or more certificate of
approval holders that are manufacturers may apply for a permit to host a liquor judging
competition event subject to the conditions prescribed by this section.
3. Liquor judging competition event participants. A certificate of approval holder
or a person who produces homemade liquor that does not contain spirits may participate in
the liquor judging competition event in the same manner and subject to the same conditions
as a person permitted under this section.
4. Application. An applicant for a liquor judging competition event permit described
in subsection 2 shall submit a written application to the bureau no later than 15 calendar
days prior to the date of the liquor judging competition event. The application must include
the following:
A. The name and address of each liquor judging competition event participant;
B. The title and purpose of the liquor judging competition event;
C. The date, time and duration of the liquor judging competition event;
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 D. The address and location of the liquor judging competition event, including a
description of the liquor judging competition event; and
E. The address and the location of areas where liquor for the liquor judging
competition event may be stored by the applicant for the liquor judging competition
event permit.
5. Fee. The permit fee for a liquor judging liquor judging competition event permit
under subsection 2 is $20.
6. Ruling on application. Upon receipt of an application under subsection 4, the
bureau shall immediately approve or deny the application. The bureau shall advise
applicants that the permit for a liquor judging competition event under subsection 2 may
be suspended or revoked pursuant to chapter 33.
7. Up to 10 permitted liquor judging competition events per year; one liquor
judging competition event per permit. A person eligible for a permit under subsection 2
may obtain up to 10 permits under this section per calendar year.
8. Location and participation fee. A certificate of approval holder issued a permit
under this section may charge a fee for participation in a liquor judging competition event.
The liquor judging competition event is not required to occur on premises licensed by the
bureau.
9. Conditions. The following conditions apply to a liquor judging competition event
permitted under this section.
A. If the venue for the liquor judging competition event is currently licensed for on-
premises consumption of liquor, the bureau shall temporarily suspend the authority of
the on-premises retail licensee to sell liquor for on-premises consumption in an area
designated for the liquor judging competition event. The on-premises retail licensee
may sell liquor for on-premises consumption outside the area designated for the liquor
judging competition event.
B. The liquor judging competition event may not be open to the general public.
C. Only judges and stewards may taste liquor entered in a liquor judging competition
event. For purposes of this paragraph, "steward" means liquor judging competition
event staff that work with judges in conducting the liquor judging competition event.
D. Points of entry to the liquor judging competition event must be clearly marked and
monitored to ensure consumption of liquor entered in the liquor judging competition
event takes place only within the designated area of the liquor judging competition
event.
E. A minor may not attend the liquor judging competition event.
F. A person who is visibly intoxicated may not be served.
G. Homemade spirits may not be entered into a liquor judging competition event.
H. Liquor may not be sold or offered for sale at a liquor judging competition event
except as provided in paragraph A.
10. Rulemaking. The bureau may adopt routine technical rules as defined in Title 5,
chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A to administer this section.
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 Sec. 2. 28-A MRSA §1358 is enacted to read:
§1358. Unlicensed manufacture
A license for the manufacture of homemade liquor is not required under this Title if
the conditions prescribed in this section are met. For purposes of this section, "homemade
liquor" has the same meaning as in section 1057, subsection 1, paragraph A.
1. Permitted liquor judging competition events. Homemade liquor may be removed
from the premises where the homemade liquor was made if the homemade liquor is entered
into a permitted liquor judging competition event as provided in section 1057.
2. Prohibition on added spirits. Homemade liquor may not contain added spirits.
3. Prohibition on sale. Homemade liquor may not be sold or offered for sale.
4. Violation. A violation of this section is a Class E crime.
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