For holders of alcoholic beverage licenses who would like to change the conditions on their license, hope springs! Amendments to Sections 23800 and 23803 of the Business and Professions Code have now gone into effect to allow for changes to conditions on a license if “the situation in which there Read more…
As the year comes to a close, here is a helpful reminder for you as a professional or business owner. Confirm or Update Your Address with Licensing Each and every licensing department, board, bureau, commission, or otherwise agency, in the state of California, has a requirement that you maintain current Read more…
On December 1, 2017, Simas & Associates, Ltd. entered into an Of Counsel relationship with long time counsel for the State of California, Heather F. C. Hoganson. "I have known Heather personally and professionally for a long time," explained firm owner and founder, Steven L. Simas. "I jumped at the Read more…
Since the 2005 Granholm v. Heald Supreme Court decision addressing the interstate direct shipment of wine, the number of states allowing out-of-state wineries to ship directly to consumers has increased from 31 states to 42. The experience for licensed wine retailers (for example: brick and mortar wine shops, California Type 85 or 20 licensees Read more…
The notion of establishing a wine import business has no doubt crossed the minds of many. Even a California connoisseur, who has enjoyed the robust, delicate, and unique varietals from the world famous wine growing regions of Amador, Carneros, Paso Robles, Napa, Santa Barbara, Sonoma, and Temecula, could easily have Read more…
If the plates on which the food is served are not clean, the food received is not hot, or is not as ordered, the patron may be inclined to leave a smaller tip even when the services of the servers and bussers were satisfactory. Likewise, when the meal is delicious, Read more…
Right before this holiday season, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control issued a warning to all of its licensees regarding the alleged impersonation of ABC agents and representatives throughout the state of California. The impersonation was conducted over the telephone or via email correspondence and indicated that an investigation had Read more…
Effective January 1, 2016, Assembly Bill 893 amends, adds and repeals several provisions of the ABC Act (Business and Professions Code sections 25200, 25201 and 25204) regarding beer labeling requirements. Specifically, Business and Professions Code section 25200 no longer requires beer manufacturers and certificate of compliance holders to furnish labels of Read more…
While home brewing and home wine making are on the rise and finding more receptive lawmakers across the country, home distilling is still illegal. It is illegal under federal law, mirror-restricted in the states, and unlikely to be altered or amended anytime soon. What is Distilling? Distilling spirits is the process Read more…
Obesity is no longer considered just a case of over-eating and lack of self-control. It is acknowledged as a “chronic progressive disease resulting from multiple environmental and genetic factors” by various International and National scientific organizations, including the World Health Organization. The National Institute of Health recommends bariatric surgery as Read more…