ABCC

Boston.com reports that local licensing officials have suspended the use of increasingly-popular large, portable beer taps and are requiring that businesses already licensed to serve alcohol request permission to use the beverage dispensers. The decision comes after at least two city bars, one in Allston and another in Brighton, were cited on St. Patrick’s Day […]

The Boston Globe reports that Groupon Inc., the popular daily-deal coupon site based in Chicago, is re-evaluating its policies after the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission informed the company that Groupon discounts for some Massachusetts restaurants may not be in compliance with state liquor laws and regulations. In a February letter to Groupon, the ABCC […]

The Boston Licensing Board voted last week to cancel the liquor license for a still unopened restaurant at the 45 Province luxury high-rise project, as reported by the Universal Hub website. 45 Province spent $225,000 for a liquor license in 2008 in anticipation of finding somebody to operate the three-story restaurant included in the housing […]

Liquor might be sold for the first time in Arlington stores now that selectmen have approved licenses for two local stores. Selectmen last month approved a license for Shanny Beer and Wine on Summer Street to begin selling liquor, and last week the board OK’d another license for Giles Fine Wine at 137 Massachusetts Ave. […]

The Martha’s Vineyard Times reports that the Oyster Bar Grille in Oak Bluffs has operated year-round without the required license to serve alcohol, according to town officials. Oak Bluffs police have told the financially troubled restaurant’s owners that the establishment cannot reopen as scheduled, February 10, without proof of a valid year-round alcohol license. The […]

The Patriot Ledger reports that a Cohasset businesswoman, who thinks it’s unfair her beer has been banned because it has caffeine, is trying to convince state officials her Moonshot pilsner shouldn’t be on the same list as such notorious products as Four Loko. “For a small independent company, the order to halt the sale of […]

After denying the transfer of a liquor license to a Shrewsbury man partly because of his character, the Northboro Board of Selectmen has approved the license transfer, but with conditions, reported the Worcester Telegram. The Board’s decision follows an ABCC reversal of the Board’s earlier decision to deny the license. In March, the board denied […]

The state will restrict sales of the popular and potent alcoholic beverage Four Loko, as Boston city councilors consider their own ban of the controversial drink, the Boston Herald reports. Available in nine flavors and for the student-friendly price of $3 for a 23.5-ounce can, Loko contains 12 percent alcohol by volume, about the same […]

The Boston Globe reports that an inspector for the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission from Melrose who was arrested in July for allegedly taking a bribe in exchange for obtaining a liquor license has been indicted in Superior Court. Arthur Hitchman, 39, was indicted by a Middlesex grand jury on charges of attempted extortion, soliciting, […]

The Braintree Forum reports that a business called Wine Nation may appeal to the Superior Court an ABCC decision upholding the town of Braintree’s decision to deny the wine “superstore” an all-alcohol license. Maryland businessman Thomas Trone is seeking to open Wine Nation, a 21,000-square-foot “wine superstore” that would have about 50 employees, in the […]

More from the local Everett paper about the controversial granting of a liquor license to a youth hostel owned by Representative Stat Smith, the Backpakers Pub on School Street. The state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission has been asked to hold a hearing by residents who have signed a petition asking the ABCC not to grant […]