Sampling Law Desk
Alcohol Sampling and Tasting Laws by State
Last checked: November 6, 2026. Each state below has its own "last checked" line and a link to the state's own statute, regulation or regulator page.
How to read this page
Most in-store alcohol tastings come down to five questions. Each state section answers the ones the official source answers, and says so when it does not.
- Who hosts? Usually a licensed retailer (a liquor store, grocery or drugstore) that holds a tasting permit or endorsement.
- Who may pour? The store's own staff, the supplier's or wholesaler's representative, or an outside agency acting as someone's agent. This is the question that varies most.
- What credential does the pourer need? Server training, a state card, or a permit carried on the person.
- How much? Sample size and samples per person.
- What paperwork comes first? Advance notice to the state, a permit issued before the first event, or a letter on site.
If a state says nothing about outside agencies, do not assume yes. Ask the regulator in writing.
Quick reference
| State | Who hosts | Who may pour (summary) | Pourer credential | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Off-sale retailer with an Instructional Tasting License (Type 86) | The licensee's employee or its designated representative; see BPC 25503.56 | RBS certification | CA ABC |
| Colorado | Retail liquor store, liquor-licensed drugstore, or beer and wine retailer, only where the local government has authorized tastings | The retailer or its employee, or a representative, employee or agent of the wholesaler, manufacturer or importer | State-standard server training | CO Liquor Code |
| Illinois | Off-premise licensed retailer | A licensee or a registered tasting representative | Tasting Representative License (company level) | ILCC |
| New York | Off-premises retail licensee | The licensee or an authorized agent of the licensee | None found in the statute | ABC Law 63-a |
| New Jersey | Plenary retail distribution licensee | Store staff; outside agencies only under a Special Marketing Agent Permit | Marketing agent ID card (under that permit) | NJ ABC |
| Pennsylvania | Fine Wine and Good Spirits stores (state-run) | Vendors and their agents through the PLCB program | PLCB documentation per program | PLCB |
| Texas | Licensed premises | Holder of a Promotional Permit and its employees, on behalf of a contracted producer | Employee ID card from the permit holder | TABC |
| Washington | Spirits retailer with a sampling endorsement | Licensee's employees | Class 12 server permit | WAC 314-02-106 |
| Maryland | Licensed retailer | Supplier or wholesaler representatives with a solicitor's permit, with product from the retailer | Solicitor's permit, carried on the person | ATCC, COMAR |
| Nevada | Grocery store with a local sampling permit | Store, with help pouring from a supplier, manufacturer, importer or wholesaler | Check county rules | NRS 597.225 |
| Massachusetts | Package store with an all-alcohol license | Statute names the licensee; silent on third parties | None found in the statute | MGL c.138 s.15 |
| Florida | Licensed premises | A licensed distributor, craft distillery or vendor "conducts" spirits tastings | None found in the statute | Fla. Stat. 565.17 |
| District of Columbia | Holder of a tasting permit (certain manufacturer, retailer, wholesaler classes) | Page does not say who pours | Check with ABCA | DC ABCA |
| Wisconsin | Class A retailer | Licensed operators (bartenders) or servers under their immediate supervision | Municipal operator's license | WI DOR |
| Idaho | State liquor store | A distilled spirits supplier or its representative, 21+ | Age 21+ in statute | Idaho Code 23-314 |
| Rhode Island | Class A retail licensee | The statute grants the right to the retail licensee | Check with the state | RIGL 3-7-4.1 |
| Virginia | Virginia ABC stores | Holder of a Solicitor Tasting Permit and its employees | Permit is issued to the company | VA ABC |
Rows marked "check" or "none found" mean the official source we read did not say. Verify with the state.
State pages
- CaliforniaHas items to verify
- ColoradoHas items to verify
- IllinoisHas items to verify
- New YorkHas items to verify
- New JerseyHas items to verify
- PennsylvaniaHas items to verify
- TexasHas items to verify
- WashingtonHas items to verify
- MarylandHas items to verify
- NevadaHas items to verify
- MassachusettsHas items to verify
- FloridaHas items to verify
- District of ColumbiaHas items to verify
- WisconsinHas items to verify
- IdahoHas items to verify
- Rhode IslandHas items to verify
- VirginiaHas items to verify
Before any tasting, in every state
- Everyone pouring is 21 or older, and checks ID for every guest.
- No samples to anyone visibly intoxicated.
- Carry whatever the state requires on the person: permit, ID card, server card, or the supplier's letter.
- Keep the host store's written OK, and the supplier's authorization, on site.
- Ask the host what insurance certificate it needs before the event.
Frequently asked questions
Can a staffing agency pour alcohol samples?
In some states, yes, as the agent or representative of a licensed supplier, wholesaler or retailer, sometimes with a company permit (Illinois, Texas, Virginia) or a personal permit (Maryland). In others the law names only the store or its employees (Washington, and Massachusetts and Rhode Island as written). Check the state section above, then confirm with the regulator.
Do brand ambassadors need a server certification?
Often. California requires RBS, Colorado requires state-standard server training for tasting pourers, Washington requires a class 12 permit for employees serving spirits samples, and Wisconsin requires a licensed operator or direct supervision.
How big can a spirits sample be?
It varies: one-quarter ounce in New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Idaho and Rhode Island; one-half ounce in Colorado, Washington and Wisconsin. Check each state.
How we keep this current
We re-check each official source on a regular review cycle and update the "last checked" date when we do. Spot an error? Tell us on the contact page and we will check it against the source.
Planning a spirits or wine sampling program?
Talk to our team about staffing and running compliant tastings. See wine and spirits sampling staff, alcohol brand ambassadors and alcohol brand activations.
Book a discovery callNot legal advice. Summaries of public law as of the dates shown. Always confirm with the state agency and your own counsel.