ABCC

The Brookline Patch.Com reports that town officials want to order another round of liquor licenses for Brookline. A warrant article the Board of Selectmen plans to file for Fall Town Meeting would petition the Mass. Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) for up to 11 additional liquor licenses. The Board discussed this proposed article at their […]

The Boston Globe has an interesting article on security at the Comcast Center in Mansfield and the use of alcohol and drugs at concerts at the venue. Two men died at a show there in July. The article suggests that the issues at Comcast reflect a broader cultural problem and that the arena’s security staff […]

Woody’s Liquors, outside Somerville’s Magoun Square, is in trouble for selling a six-pack of Vermont microbrew and a handle of gin to an underage customer, according to the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission and patch.com As a result, the liquor store may have its license suspended for 15 days in September–or pay a fine–according to […]

Interesting piece from the Berkshire Eagle on the promise to reform by a shuttered Pittsfield bar. The City has set a July 13 special hearing, and the bar has to appear before the state ABCC on July 31.

The Boston Herald reports that Barstool Sports blogger Dave Portnoy is pulling the plug on his popular and much-protested “Blackout” raves at Boston’s House of Blues, claiming club security and state liquor agents ruined a recent party, and ended up turning away about three-fourths of his paid customers. “It just doesn’t seem like Boston is […]

A North Attleborough liquor store faces a six-day license suspension after selling alcohol to a minor. On August 20th of 2011, the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission conducted an undercover sting operation at City Spirits North liquor store. A field operator from the Commission apparently sent an underage operative into the store to purchase a 40-ounce […]

Wicked Local Somerville reports on alleged illegal gambling being conducted at Michael’s in Somerville. The ABCC is weighing disciplinary action. Under state law, gambling is any wager between participants or spectators of an event of more than $5 in a public place. Betting in pool halls, bowling allies or on sports is considered illegal. While […]

A former inspector for the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABC) pleaded guilty last week to extortion charges and received jail time for using his position of authority to extort money from an Everett business under his jurisdiction. Arthur Hitchman, 41, of Melrose, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Jan. 11th, in Middlesex Superior Court to charges […]

The Newburyport News reports on a messy situation in Rowley, where a pub owner has filed an appeal with the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission stemming from the confusing actions by the town, first denying of a liquor license, then later rescinded that denial.

The Senate has approved and sent to the House a bill that would allow supermarkets and other large retailers to hold more alcoholic beverage licenses. The proposal increases the current cap of three to five in 2012, seven in 2016 and nine in 2020. The measure also would require stores to pay a $5,000 fee […]

The Boston Globe reports here on the $45,000 in funds accepted by Treasurer Steven Grossman (who oversees the ABCC), donated by package store proprietors, bar owners, and liquor distributors — industries his office heavily controls and regulates.

Interesting piece from Boston Magazine’s website about the number of liquor licenses available in Boston and other communities, and whether these limitations still make sense.

The Eagle Tribune reports that the state ABCC will team up with Lawrence police to sweep through city bars and clubs for five or six weeks beginning this weekend, in a coordinated effort “to rein in the wave of lawlessness that’s taking place in Lawrence,” state Treasurer Steven Grossman said. Grossman’s announcement that ABCC agents […]

The Taunton Daily Gazette has a story on how the Taunton Police are getting tougher with sting operations and are on the hunt for liquor license violations and underage drinking. The state’s Executive Office of Public Safety and Security has awarded a $9,700 grant to the Taunton Police Department specifically to combat underage drinking.

Alcohol regulators in Massachusetts are wisely pulling back from a potential rules change that had small beer brewers across the state fuming. The change approved last week by the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission would have required brewers operating under a so-called farmer-brewery license to grow at least half the hops and grains they use, […]

The Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) has denied the Idle Hands Craft Ales LLC application for a Farmer-Brewery license, because a farmer-brewer must “grow at least 50 percent, in the aggregate, of the quantity of cereal grains and hops needed to produce the anticipated volume of malt beverages.” According to beeradvocate.com, this decision seems […]

State Treasurer Steve Grossman, who oversees the ABCC, said he asked the state inspector general to conduct a “top-to-bottom” review of the agency. The Boston Globe first reported the story. Legislative leaders expressed concern this week, following the Globe report that the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission paid out $1.7 million to resolve three employment […]

The Fire Bull Restaurant in Peabody received Licensing Board approval and now only needs approval from state liquor licensing authorities to serve a full bar at 5 Central St. instead of only beer and wine. Alfred D. Rizzo, the manager at Fire Bull, appeared before the city’s Licensing Board Monday night for a hearing on […]

See the attached link for the ABCC information on the farmers’ market wine application; this license is governed by local authorities only and does not need ABCC approval. http://www.mass.gov/abcc/pdf/6-9-11%20Advisory%20for%20Farmer%20Market%20License.pdf

The Salem News reports that Danvers Selectmen have revoked the liquor license of the former Tequilas Bar and Grill on Route 1, the first time in 2 1/2 years the board voted to strip a license from a holder whose establishment had closed. Danversbank now has the Tequilas all-alcoholic-beverages license because it was pledged as […]

The Worcester Telegram and Gazette had a good piece about a March scuffle outside of JR’s Pub in Fitchburg, MA, and how the state’s Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission is investigating the validity of the liquor license held by JR’s. The liquor license was initially awarded to JR’s Inc., at 18 Putnam St. However, according to […]