Alcohol is, by law, an age-restricted product that is regulated
differently than other products. The provisions of this Chapter establish
vital regulation of the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages
in order to promote responsible consumption, combat illegal underage
drinking, and achieve other important policy goals such as maintaining
an orderly marketplace composed of licensed alcohol producers, importers,
distributors, and retailers.
When used in this Chapter, the following words shall have the
following meanings:
CLOSED PLACE
A place where all doors are locked and where no patrons are
in the place or about the premises.
INTOXICATING LIQUOR
Alcohol for beverage purposes, including alcoholic, spirituous,
vinous, fermented, malt, or other liquors, or combination of liquors,
a part of which is spirituous, vinous, or fermented, and all preparations
or mixtures for beverage purposes containing in excess of one-half
of one percent (0.5%) by volume. All beverages having an alcoholic
content of less than one-half of one percent (0.5%) by volume shall
be exempt from the provisions of this Chapter.
LIGHT WINES
An intoxicating liquor consisting of wine containing not
in excess of fourteen percent (14%) of alcohol by weight made exclusively
from grapes, berries and other fruits and vegetables.
ORIGINAL PACKAGE
Any package sealed or otherwise closed by the manufacturer
so as to consist of a self-contained unit, and consisting of one (1)
or more bottles or other containers of intoxicating liquor, where
the package and/or container(s) describes the contents thereof as
intoxicating liquor. "Original package" shall also be construed and
held to refer to any package containing one (1) or more standard bottles,
cans or pouches of beer.
PERSON
An individual, association, firm, joint stock company, syndicate,
partnership, corporation, receiver, trustee, conservator, or any other
officer appointed by any State or Federal court.
The sale of any intoxicating liquor except malt liquor, in the
original package, in any quantity less than fifty (50) milliliters
shall be deemed "sale by the drink" and may be made
only by a holder of a retail liquor dealer's license and, when so
made, the container in every case shall be emptied and the contents
thereof served as other intoxicating liquors sold by the drink are
served.
A special permit shall be issued to an out-of-state manufacturer
of intoxicating liquor who is not licensed in the State of Missouri
for participation in festivals, bazaars, or similar events. Registration
requirements under Section 311.275, RSMo., shall be waived for such
event. The amount of intoxicating liquor shipped in the State under
this permit shall not exceed two hundred (200) gallons. Excise taxes
shall be paid by the licensed manufacturer that holds a retail license
organizing the event in the same manner as if it were produced or
purchased by the manufacturer. A permit issued under this Section
by the City shall be valid for no more than seventy-two (72) hours.
An applicant shall complete a form provided by the City and the Supervisor
of Alcohol and Tobacco Control and pay a fee of thirty-seven dollars
and fifty cents ($37.50) before a special permit shall be issued.
For purposes of determining violations and prosecution under
this Chapter, or any rule or regulation of the Supervisor of Alcohol
and Tobacco Control, a manufacturer-sealed container describing that
there is intoxicating liquor therein need not be opened or the contents
therein tested to verify that there is intoxicating liquor in such
container. The alleged violator may allege that there was no intoxicating
liquor in such container, but the burden of proof of such allegation
is on such person, as it shall be presumed that such a sealed container
describing that there is intoxicating liquor therein contains intoxicating
liquor.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this Chapter shall
upon conviction be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred
dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding ninety
(90) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.