(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, a licensed beer manufacturer or a holder of beer and wine importer’s general license, or any director, partner, officer, agent, or representative of that person, may instruct consumers at an on-sale retail licensed premises authorized to sell its product with the permission of the on-sale retail licensee. The instruction may include serving beer sold by the on-sale retail licensee to the consumer and providing information on the history, nature, values, and characteristics of the beer, and methods of presenting and serving the beer. Orders for the sale of beer may be accepted by the beer manufacturer conducting an instructional event if the sales transaction is completed at the beer manufacturer’s licensed premises.

(b) A person authorized by subdivision (a), in advance of an authorized instructional event, may list in an advertisement the name and address of the on-sale retail licensee, the names of the beers being featured at the instructional event, and the time, date, and location of, and other information about, the instructional event, subject to the following limitations:

Terms Used In California Business and Professions Code 25503.45

(1) The advertisement does not also contain the retail price of the beers.

(2) The listing of the retailer’s name and address is the only reference to the retailer in the advertisement and is relatively inconspicuous in relation to the advertisement as a whole. Pictures or illustrations of the retailer’s premises and laudatory references to the retailer in these advertisements are not hereby authorized.

(c) An on-sale retail licensee’s advertisement of an authorized instructional event may include the name, address, and brand names of the person authorized by subdivision (a), however nothing in this section allows that person to share in the costs of the on-sale retail licensee’s advertisement.

(d) For purposes of this section, a licensed beer and wine wholesaler shall not be a representative of a beer manufacturer or a holder of a beer and wine importer’s general license.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, no alcoholic beverage may be given away in connection with the instructional event authorized by this section.

(Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 149, Sec. 1. (AB 2134) Effective January 1, 2011.)