Alcohol

Promoting Alcoholic Beverages

Advertising

Licensees may advertise price and brand names of liquor, wine and beer in the following manner:

  • Media (newspapers, radio, television, etc.).
  • Inside signs (neon signs, mirrors, etc.).
  • Outside signs (billboards, reader boards, etc.) which are not located on the licensed premises.
  • Licensees may not advertise specific brand names on signs located on the outside of their licensed premises (in the parking lot, on the outside of the building, etc.).

Exception: Outside signs with specific brand names of liquor, wine and beer are legal when located in enclosed or partially enclosed areas (patio umbrellas with specific name brands in a fenced outdoor beer garden, etc.).

Iowa Code section §123.51

Tastings

Licensees may conduct tastings and samplings on the licensed premises as long as the tasting or sampling involves only those alcoholic beverages that their license allows them to sell. For example, an establishment licensed to sell wine and beer must limit tastings or sampling to wine and beer – no liquor.

Tastings and samplings that involve liquor must be conducted on premises covered by a liquor license. Tastings that involve wine and beer may be conducted on licensed and unlicensed premises.

All laws and rules governing liquor, wine and beer (legal-drinking age, hours of sale, etc.) must be observed during tasting and sampling activities.

Iowa Code sections §123.46(2), §123.95 and §123.186, and 185 Iowa Administrative Code