(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, a Class A retail licensee may conduct a liquor sampling event on a designated sampling day.
(b) At least five business days prior to the liquor sampling, the Class A retail licensee shall submit a written proposal to the commissioner informing the Commissioner that the Class A licensee will hold a liquor sampling event, including:
(1) The day of the event;
(2) The location of the event;
(3) The times for the event; and
(4) The specific brand and flavor of the West Virginia product to be sampled.
(c) Upon approval by the commissioner, a Class A retail licensee may serve a complimentary liquor sample of the approved brand and flavor of the West Virginia product that is purchased by the Class A retail licensee from the commissioner.
(d) The complimentary liquor samples on any sampling day shall not exceed:
(1) One separate and individual sample serving per customer verified to be 21 years of age or older; and
(2) One ounce in total volume.
(e) Servers at the liquor sampling event shall:
(1) Be employees of the Class A retail licensee; and
(2) Be at least 21 years of age or older.
(f) All servers at the liquor sampling event shall verify the age of the customer sampling liquor by requiring and reviewing proper forms of identification. Servers at the liquor sampling event may not serve any person who is:
(1) Under the age of 21 years;
(2) Intoxicated.
(g) A liquor sampling event shall:
(1) Occur only inside the Class A retail licensees licensed premises; and
(2) Cease on or before 9:00 p.m. on any approved sampling day.
(h) Any liquor bottle used for sampling must be from the inventory of the licensee, and clearly and conspicuously labeled "SAMPLE, NOT FOR RESALE". If the seal is broken on any liquor bottle or if any liquor bottle is opened, then that liquor bottle must be removed from the licensed premises immediately following the event.
(i) Violations of this section are subject to the civil and criminal penalties set forth in sections twenty-four, twenty-five-a, twenty-six and twenty-seven of this article;
Structure West Virginia Code
Chapter 60. State Control of Alcoholic Liquors
Article 3A. Sales by Retail Liquor Licensees
§60-3A-2. Legislative Findings and Declaration; Legislative Purpose
§60-3A-2a. Further Legislative Findings, Declarations and Purpose
§60-3A-3. Sale of Liquor by Retail Licensees Permitted; Cessation of Retail Sale of Liquor by State
§60-3A-6. General Powers and Duties of Board and Commissioner
§60-3A-7. Market Zones; Class a and Class B Retail Licenses
§60-3A-8. Retail License Application Requirements; Retail Licensee Qualifications
§60-3A-10a. Preference for Resident Bidders
§60-3A-10c. Criminal Penalties for Unlawful Inducement
§60-3A-10d. Financing Option for Retail Licensees Purchasing Class a Retail Licenses
§60-3A-11. Bonding Requirements
§60-3A-12. Annual Retail License Fee; Expiration and Renewal of Retail Licenses
§60-3A-14. Sale, Assignment or Transfer of Retail License
§60-3A-15. Surrender of Retail License
§60-3A-16. Restriction on Location of Retail Outlets
§60-3A-18. Days and Hours Retail Licensees May Sell Liquor
§60-3A-19. Limitation on Amount to Be Sold
§60-3A-20. Nonapplication of Article to Retail Sales of Nonintoxicating Beer
§60-3A-21. Tax on Purchases of Liquor
§60-3A-22. Requirement for Posting Informational Sign
§60-3A-23. Records Required of Retail Licensees; Inspection of Records
§60-3A-24. Unlawful Acts by Persons
§60-3A-25. Certain Acts of Retail Licensees Prohibited; Criminal Penalties
§60-3A-25a. Mandatory Verification of Age of Persons Purchasing Alcohol
§60-3A-27. Suspension or Revocation of Retail License
§60-3A-28. Notice of and Hearing on Revocation; Right of Appeal; Appeal Procedures
§60-3A-29. Disposition of Inventory Upon Revocation or Surrender of Retail License