A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 61-4-125 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE A LICENSED MANUFACTURER OF HARD CIDER OR MEAD TO PROVIDE TASTINGS OF HARD CIDER OR MEAD MANUFACTURED IN THIS STATE ON ITS PREMISES AND UP TO THREE OFF-SITE LOCATIONS AND TO ALLOW THE PRODUCER OF MEAD TO DISTRIBUTE THE MEAD PRODUCTS TO LICENSED RETAILERS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.  Article 1, Chapter 4, Title 61 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

    Section 61-4-125.  (A) For the purposes of this section:

       (1) "Hard cider" means an alcoholic drink made from fermented crushed fruit, typically apples.

       (2) "Mead" means a fermented beverage made of water, honey, malt, and yeast, pursuant to 27 CFR part 24.

    (B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law:

       (1) a licensed manufacturer of hard cider is authorized to provide tastings of its hard cider manufactured in this State, with or without compensation, on its premises and up to three off-site locations;

       (2) a licensed manufacturer of mead is authorized to provide tastings of its mead manufactured in this State, with or without compensation, on its premises and up to three off-site locations; and

       (3) a licensed manufacturer of mead is authorized to distribute its products to South Carolina licensed retailers.

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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