How Wisconsin alcohol producers are transitioning to state’s new liquor laws (Wisconsin Public Radio)

Shaun Lapacek wants to make sure his Columbia County winery is in compliance. The operating licenses for Rock N Wool Winery in Poynette need to be renewed by the start of June and new state laws regulating alcohol just went into effect May 1.

The changes include creating a state permit for alcohol producers to expand their retail offerings. Similar licenses were previously issued by municipalities.

Despite some confusion about the transition to new rules, several people across the industry told “Wisconsin Today” that eventually the changes will lead to more clarity for alcohol producers.

The new laws overhauled the previous three-tiered system for alcohol licensing and created a Division of Alcohol Beverages within the state Department of Revenue.

Jeff Glazer is an attorney who focuses on business issues for companies in the food and beverage industry. He said alcohol producers of all kinds will be affected: breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries and others.

Glazer has been working with this industry since 2007. He said people used to make products and sell to wholesalers. Then, wholesalers would carry products to retailers for sale. But the industry changed. The new laws modernize the space and make it easier for small manufacturers to compete, Glazer said.

Glazer said the new laws will clear up a lot of misunderstandings. The old rules were arcane and confusing when it came to who was allowed to serve what, he said. Laws stopped breweries from serving wine or distilled spirits. Wineries could serve beer but not distilled spirits.

“All of that has gone away,” Glazer said. “Everybody can serve everything now. It’ll make the tasting rooms just a much more comfortable place for consumers.”