When serving alcohol in Texas, business owners must obtain a Texas alcoholic beverage license. Failing to do so could result in serious legal charges. There are several qualifications that need to be met to obtain a license.

How To Qualify

To qualify for a Houston alcoholic beverage license, an applicant must be at least 21 years of age. In addition to this, these criteria must be met:

• The applicant must not have any felony convictions within the past five years.
• The applicant must not have violated state liquor laws within the past two years.
• The applicant must not have any moral turpitude violations of liquor laws within the past six months.

For on-premise alcohol permits, business owners must provide verification from the city clerk that their business is in a zone where alcohol can be served and has late-hour operations. People who plan to serve only beer or wine will have to provide verification of alcohol content for their beverages. For off-premise permits, applicants must obtain verification forms and a list of approved areas from the city clerk. In addition to this, public notice must be published in a local newspaper. There are also other requirements for temporary permits for off-site events, which are usually granted to business owners who currently hold liquor licenses. Some types of events may not require licenses if they provide free alcohol to adults.

How To Apply

Most business owners who plan to serve alcohol on a daily basis apply for a license through the local sheriff’s department. There are over 20 different types of licenses available from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, so it is important to choose the right type. For example, a person who is looking for a Texas beer license just to sell beer at an event would not need the same type of permit a person serving cocktails in a restaurant would need. After obtaining the right forms, an applicant must fill out all of the information correctly. Mistakes will usually bring delays. Applications are taken to the Texas State Controller’s Office, and the information must also be turned in to the local City Secretary. Following this step, the TABC must be contacted to perform a background and eligibility check. An interview will be conducted, and the applicant will be notified when to appear before a judge for a hearing. If the application is approved by the judge, the applicant must pay the required taxes and wait for the TABC to issue a permit.

Many people mistakenly assume that obtaining a liquor license is a process that involves filing a few forms and paying a fee. The process is much more complex and much more serious, so it is important to make sure there are no mistakes made. Businesses planning to open are usually in a time crunch, and this can add even more stress to the preparations for a grand opening. The best way to get through the process without major hassles is to hire a Houston liquor license service company.

A Texas license service provider knows all of the local and state laws for obtaining all of the different types of licenses and permits offered by the TABC. The service provider knows what to write on the forms, where to file them and how to deliver efficient and effective results. Many people make the mistake of filling out the wrong types of forms when applying for licenses on their own, but a liquor license service will make sure the correct forms are used. Investing in a license service is well worth avoiding the headache of losing money, delaying and opening or canceling a special event while waiting on a license.

Recent action by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) has led to outrage on social media sites and planned legal action by a number of craft beer establishments in the state. The controversy arose over the sale of crowlers, 32-ounce cans filled and seamed on site by retailers of craft beer products. While hand-sealed glass containers, also known as growlers, are legal in Texas, the TABC has deemed that the machine-sealed crowlers are in violation of Texas regulations. Seven establishments received warnings that they could lose their TABC permit; of those, three are located in the Houston area.

Canned Beer on Trial

Traditional glass growlers have been a preferred way to transport craft beer from brewery to home for generations. These large glass bottles typically hold between 32 and 64 ounces and are reusable, making them a cost-effective choice for consumers and purveyors alike. By contrast, crowlers are a relatively new technology that has gained in popularity in recent years. These 32-ounce cans can be filled and sealed through the use of a relatively inexpensive machine. Crowlers can be recycled and are preferred by many companies and consumers. Unfortunately, the TABC views crowlers as a canned product and maintains prohibitions against illegal canning. Only breweries with a license specifically for manufacturing are allowed to can beer in the state of Texas.

Taking on the TABC

The most visible company in this controversy is Cuvee Coffee Bar in Austin, which has announced its intention to protest the law. Cuvee employees continued to serve crowlers to customers even after repeated warnings from the TABC. This civil disobedience finally resulted in the seizure of the canning equipment by TABC officials and the issuance of an administrative violation to the owners. Cuvee is expected to contest this violation and to lobby for a change in the laws currently in place.

A Distinction Without a Difference

Craft breweries and pubs arguing for a change in the current law note that there is fundamentally no difference between the beer sold in glass growlers and those served in aluminum crowlers. In fact, the beer sold in crowlers may stay fresher longer thanks to the limited amount of oxygen that reaches the contents of these cans. Restricting one type of container while allowing another has led to a certain amount of confusion within the brewpub industry and has generated accusations that TABC regulations are antiquated and need overall reform.

Companies at Risk

Breweries, brewpubs and bars that violated the crowler ban may be at risk of losing their Texas beer license if they continue to sell these containers. The seizure of the Cuvee Coffee Bar crowler equipment has also had a chilling effect on the number of businesses willing to violate TABC regulations on behalf of their customers. While the manufacturer is offering to buy back the crowler sealing and packaging machines they sold to Texas establishments, the loss in potential revenues for this popular product cannot be easily recouped by most brewpubs and breweries.

More Legal Challenges to Come

Craft beer companies are also expected to challenge the TABC prohibition on selling to-go beer directly from breweries. Past attempts to overturn this part of Texas law have been met with implacable opposition from large beer manufacturers and wholesalers due to the added competition that these small-scale breweries would pose to their sales. Despite this opposition, however, several pubs have indicated that they intend to pursue this challenge to current TABC regulations in the upcoming year.

For most bar owners, maintaining a Texas liquor license and remaining in compliance with all TABC rules and regulations is critical to ongoing success and profitability in the competitive marketplace. Working with a firm that specializes in helping Houston businesses manage the application process for their TABC licenses can provide added guidance in navigating the current rules applicable to drinking establishments in the state of Texas.

You have probably seen mobile beer delivery bars all across Texas. They are the latest trend. It is much easier for a company, community, married couple or anybody throwing a large or small party to contact the owner of a mobile beer delivery bar than it is to purchase and pass out beer among their guests. If you have been considering starting your own mobile beer service, you will need a Houston beer license and a few tips to successfully get your business up and running.

Mobile beer bars range in size from elaborate camper vans to bicycle pedaled vehicles equipped with a pair of kegs. You might have a couple different size vehicles so that you can handle big events or private gatherings.

Beer drinkers are much more knowledgeable these days. Drinkers no longer are faced with the same domestic and imported brands that have always been available. Now, microbreweries are all the rage and boutique beers are at the height of popularity. Every city has its own microbrewery or brewpub, and every brewpub is looking for its niche. Some go with seasonal offerings like pumpkin beer in autumn, bock beer and stouts in the winter, light pilsners in spring and heady lagers in summer. As a beer merchant, you have to stay abreast of what is current and popular in your area.

Some mobile beer bar owners keep it simple. They sell one or two of the American standards. Others want to have a wide selection of India Pale Ales (IPAs), wheat beers, lagers, pilsners, stouts and imports from Europe, Mexico, Australia and Asia. If you plan to handle a wide assortment of beers, you need to learn which types are best served icy cold, which types are best at room temperature and how to pour the foamier beers to give just the right amount of frothy head. Some owners even sell high-gravity beer, which is over 6 percent alcohol, but to do that, you would need a Texas liquor license.

Just like running a food truck, you will be your own boss, get to go to plenty of parties and work when you feel like working. However, you have to be a strict professional to properly run a mobile beer bar. If you have a one-person operation, you need to be the bartender. It takes many hours of prep work, knowledge and start-up capital to get your business off the ground.

A Texas beer license or liquor license is not too hard to acquire. Rather than dealing with the bureaucrats yourself, you can use Houston license services to do the filing and get you the correct state license. That takes all the guesswork and drudgery out of the process. These companies know what licenses and permits are required in the cities and counties where you will be selling your beer. You might need special event passes for places that do not have their own beer license, such as a reception hall.

Once your operation is legal and functional, you need to find clients. You can advertise your services, contract with communities to provide beer for their parades, summer get-togethers or New Year’s Eve bashes. Other mobile beer delivery bars may already be operating in your area, so you will have to find your own niche. You could be competing against a local brewpub, a hometown bar or another independent contractor like yourself. The key is not to compete directly with them. You have to eke out your own territory and clientele. You could concentrate on selling beer at wedding receptions, small events or block parties.

With some hard work, research and a few connections, you can turn a good idea into a steady source of income. Do not under-pour. Do not over-serve. Charge a fair price, and your mobile beer delivery bar should profit you quite nicely.

Bars and restaurant owners who obtain liquor licenses for their business in the Houston area can remain competitive through a variety of economic conditions. However, in order to be successful over the long term, each type of business must first obtain the correct Houston liquor license for their specific establishment. In addition, they need to be capable of attracting repeat customers, and the best way to do this is to make sure that customers never leave the premises with a bad taste in their mouth.

Houston Liquor License

Recent investigations of certain establishments in the areas of Houston, Seattle and Cleveland demonstrate a persistent trend of bad tasting draft beer. The problem starts when patrons of the bar or restaurant detect a foul aftertaste in their beer. According to the investigators, this bad taste has to do with a biochemical reaction that occurs when the line bringing the beer from the keg to the glass gets dirty.

Although it is not common for an establishment to lose a Houston Liquor License on account of dirty lines, this possibility does exist. Patrons who value these businesses should understand the situation as much as possible before planning a strategy of how to bring the problem to the owner’s attention. Whenever possible, try to frame the complaint in a way that shows that you care about the reputation of the establishment and want to see the business succeed. Owners are more likely to be receptive to constructive criticism when it is delivered in a way that is intended to help the business.

Houston Liquor License Service

The amount of lactobacillus that can cause the sour taste necessary to provoke a negative reaction in patrons is relatively small. Lactobacillus is a bacteria found in yogurt, cider, cheese and fermented products and does not pose a health risk but does produce a sour taste. This problem is not unique to any particular area, so beer drinkers can understand the risks involved by getting accurate information about bacteria contamination. A normal response to receiving a beer that does not taste right is to ask for a replacement. This is a natural response for people who are not regular customers; however, patrons who wish to return on a regular basis may check back later to see if the problem is resolved. It is usually one draft beer line in particular that causes a problem for many different people. The beer might taste sour or moldy, and many customers will avoid the issue just to be polite.

Maintaining a Houston Beer License

Restaurant or bar owners may simply be unaware of the existence of an actual problem. They may interpret customer complaints in a variety of ways, but incident reports alone will not locate or solve any actual problems. To complicate matters, the bacteria might accumulate in several locations throughout the entire distribution line. If the keg and the parts are both clean, a problem could develop undetected in an area that cannot be cleaned unless the entire system is serviced. Patrons who wish to bring the problem to the owner’s attention should consider using a diplomatic approach to resolving this issue.

Establishments who are invested in maintaining a Houston beer license will be aware of the dangers in allowing complaints to continue. Patrons who already have a good relationship with the owners are in a unique position to be effective in resolving the situation. These customers can serve as a form of quality control by approaching the owner with awareness. Try to address the issue of cleaning the lines as a way to retain customers and maintain the good standing of the business in the community. Keep in mind that a bad taste could be caused by a variety of issues, so remain polite, and consider providing business information about of a company that specializes in cleaning beer lines.