Breweries, wineries, distilleries can reopen in Phase Two after NC’s new guidance
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is allowing breweries, taprooms, wineries, distilleries and brewpubs to reopen Friday after sending new guidance differentiating them from bars that are still required to be closed.
The North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild had questioned why their members were included in Cooper’s executive order this week saying that the reopening of bars would not be permitted as part of the Phase Two plan that went into effect Friday at 5 p.m.
In new guidance released Friday, the state says any business that “produces alcoholic beverages for commercial sale off-premises” will not be considered a bar. The state says “the import of this Guidance is that eating establishments and restaurants” and “breweries, wineries, and distilleries” are allowed to open.
The Craft Brewers Guild praised the news, saying their members are committed to reopening in a safe manner.
“NC breweries have always been leaders in promoting the health and safety of our communities and will continue to do so as we begin to reopen our businesses,” the Craft Brewers Guild said in a statement Friday. “As breweries are already experts in sanitation and food safety standards, we will set the example for how to conduct operations that keep our customers and our employees safe.”
Breweries, taprooms and brewpubs have been closed since the state issued restrictions on businesses to try to slow the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Brewers guild sought Phase Two clarification
On Wednesday, Cooper announced that North Carolina will move into a “modest” approach to Phase Two of its reopening plan, called “safer at home.”
While the modified plan lifts the state’s stay-at-home order, and allows restaurants and personal care services to open at 50% capacity, it prohibits businesses like gyms, bars, nightclubs and other entertainment venues from opening.
The Craft Brewers Guild had argued that breweries shouldn’t be considered the same as bars and sought clarification from the state.
North Carolina is known for producing some of the best beer in the nation. Cities like Asheville and Charlotte are destinations for beer fans to crawl through multiple breweries in a weekend. In the past few years, the Triangle’s beer scene has collected its own national acclaim.
But most breweries don’t serve food, relying on food trucks or nearby restaurants to handle the food while they take care of the beer.
In an email to members Wednesday night, the N.C. Craft Brewers Guild made its case that a brewery isn’t a bar under state law.
Breweries are not “principally engaged in the business of selling alcoholic beverages for onsite consumption,” the email read, quoting Cooper’s Executive Order 141, which moves North Carolina into Phase Two. “Although Section 8.A of EO141, entitled Orders of Closure, orders the closure of Bars, by its own terms it does not order the closure of Breweries.”
The Craft Brewers Guild said its members will display the #NCBeer Pledge showing they’re in compliance with state and federal health guidance. The groups said the pledge also shows the business has taken the necessary precautions to provide customers with the reassurance that their health and safety are first priority.
