Portland officials approve $500 tasting room fee
The 13 breweries, wineries and distilleries in the city of Portland that have tasting rooms will now be subject to a $500 licensing fee after a vote by the City Council.
Maine state law now allows visitors to purchase samples of alcoholic beverages from the producers. Although Portland has licensed the sale of alcohol and food at restaurants and bars, no license has existed for producers with tasting rooms.
This discrepancy has led to numerous complaints to Portland officials from local restaurant and bar owners, according to the Maine Public Broadcasting Network.
"Certainly we want the breweries here. We love that they're here — they're a big piece of our economic vitality and the reason that many people choose to come to Portland," Portland city spokesperson Jessica Grondin told MPBN. She says the city is not trying to penalize them. “This is more about a level playing field for all bar and restaurant owners."
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