Learn About Your Responsibilities as a Licensee
At your final inspection, your local liquor inspector will go over the requirements of the Liquor Control and Licensing Act and its Regulations, and the specific terms and conditions of your licence - what your responsibilities will be as a UBrew/UVin licensee.
What your customers must or must not do
- The customer must visit your store at least twice, first to mix the ingredients, add the yeast and pay for the beer or wine kit, and then, after fermentation, to bottle it and take it away from your store.
- At the first visit the customer must sign a declaration stating that she or he is using the product for personal use only, or for use at no charge by others such as friends or family.
- The customer must not use the beer, wine, cider or coolers she or he has made for commercial purposes — this includes selling it or giving it away at a licensed establishment or a special event, such as a wedding or party, covered under a Special Occasion Licence.
- The customer may manufacture any type of beer, wine, cider or coolers.
- The customer may taste a small sample of his or her own product before bottling it, to make sure it has fermented and aged properly.
- The customer may bring a minor into your store, but that minor is not allowed to help make the beer or wine.
What you must or must not do
- You may provide reasonable assistance to the customer during the mixing and bottling stages, but must not perform the tasks for the customer unless he or she is physically incapable of doing them.
- You must not provide samples of finished beer or wine products to customers or prospective customers.
- You may open your store between 9:00 am and 11:00 pm, up to seven days a week.
- You may employ minors, but they must be under your supervision or the supervision of an adult employee.
- You may allow minors into your store, if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian, but you may not allow them to help in making the beer or wine.
- You may advertise your store as a place where customers can make beer or wine, but not as a place where customers can buy beer or wine. Your advertising may list your prices and the services you provide (please see our section on liquor advertising for more).
- You must keep all records of both your sales and your purchases for at least three years, and make them available to branch inspectors and auditors on request.
- You must report the volume of beer, wine, cider and coolers manufactured or produced in your store on your annual renewal form.
More detailed information about the terms and conditions is available in the Liquor Control and Licensing Act, its Regulations, and in A Guide for UBrew/UVin Licensees in British Columbia.
