HB1162

House Bill 1162 amends Arkansas law to include 'ready-to-drink' (RTD) products—defined as beverages containing spirituous liquor with no more than 15% alcohol by weight—within the scope of microbrewery-restaurant operations. It authorizes license holders to manufacture, store, and sell these RTD products both on-premises and for off-premises consumption, provided specific location and licensing requirements are met. The bill modifies definitions to allow microbrewery-restaurants to produce and sell these items without being subject to certain conflicting regulations that apply to traditional beer or cider manufacturers. Licensees must comply with federal regulations, including obtaining necessary distillation or processing licenses from the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Furthermore, the bill outlines the specific conditions under which these products may be sold at retail, offered for tasting events, and produced at separate facilities. It also clarifies that on-premises consumption is restricted to cities and counties where the sale of intoxicating liquor is legally permitted.