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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ South Carolina Department of Revenue
Alcohol Beverage Licensing
PO Box 125
Columbia, SC 29214-0907

Phone: 803-898-5864

Report alcohol-related violations:

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Liquor Micro Distillery Licens​e (PMD)

The Liquor Micro Distillery License authorizes the license holder to:​

  • Distil​l, blend, and bottle up to 125,000 cases of liquor per year on the licensed premises. License holders must do all three tasks
  • Offer tastings of liquor produced on the licensed premises to consumers who participate in a tour of the manufacturing facility, so long as there is no charge for the liquor offered 
  • Sell liquor produced at the licensed premises to consumers for off-premises consumption, but only in bottles that are marked “not for resale”
  • Sell and serve liquor by the drink that is produced on the licensed premises, so long as the license holder operates a restaurant which is: 
    • engaged primarily and substantially in the preparation and serving of meals, and
    • ​​partitioned and in a separate, defined area from the manufacturing facilities
  • ​Liquor produced on the premises may only be sold by the drink to patrons for consumption in the restaurant area.

License ​renewal

The Liquor Micro Distillery License must be renewed every two years. The renewal date is based on the county where your business operates, not the date when you applied for or received your license. ​ Learn mor​e about the renewal schedule​.

​​ ​This license does NOT authorize:
  • The distilling, blending, or bottling of alcoholic liquors in isolation - all three must be conducted by the holder of the license
  • The production of more than 125,000 cases of liquor per year 
  • The sale of liquor in addition to the admission price of a tour offered to customers 
  • The sale of liquor without operating a bona fide restaurant partitioned from the production facility 
  • The sale or consumption of liquor not produced at the licensed location 
  • The sale or consumption of beer or wine 
  • The distribution and sale of liquor to retail locations 
  • Curbside sales or pickup, drive-through sales or pickup, or delivery of liquor to purchasers

After logging in, select the More tab, then click Apply for a New Alcohol Beverage License.​​

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​Application requirements and instructions​

First, it's important for you to review the general ABL applicant requirements listed on the ABL license directory page ​to make sure you are eligible to apply.

When you’re ready to apply, we recommend submitting your application using our free online tax portal, MyDORWAY. It’s faster and easier than completing a paper application, and you don’t have to worry about mail proc​essing or making a trip to one of our offices.​

​Fees​
  • Non-refundable filing fee: $200 (Due at the time your application is submitted)
  • License fee: $5,200 (​Due every two years with li​cense renewal)
    • ​You must pay a prorated amount of the license fee after your Liquor Micro Distillery License application has been approved by the SCDOR.

License requirements ​​
  • You must first have a valid South Carolina Retail License. If you have not yet applied for a Retail License, get started here​.
  • ​You must submit a completed Application for Brewery, Winery, Liquor Manufacturer and Beer, Wine, and/or Liquor Wholesaler​ (ABL-9​​​02​), including all supplemental forms. See Required Forms below for more information. We recommend applying on MyDORWAY, but if submitting a paper copy of the application, make sure it’s signed and dated.
  • You must have an advertisement run in an approved newspaper that notifies the public that you have applied for an alcohol license. See Required Signs & Notices below for more information.
  • You are required to maintain functioning, sanitary restrooms available for patrons of your business during all hours of operation.
  • You must submit a copy of the lease, deed, writing from a local municipality, or enforceable written contract that grants you the right to use and control the licensed premises. This document must designate the specific area of the premises that will be licensed. In addition, you may supplement this document by submitting a copy of the ABL Lease Supplemental Information​ form (ABL-977).
  • No person may have direct or indirect ownership, influence, or financial interest in more than one of the following entities: a Micro Distillery, a distributor, or a retailer of beer, wine or liquor. 


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Frequently asked questions

Review the FAQs below for answers to frequently asked questions about the Liquor Micro Distillery License. Our Liquor and ​Operating an ABL Business​​ pages ​have ​additional helpful information.​

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​ Can someone under the age of 21 be employed in a distillery or micro distillery?​

Related SC Code of Laws