Connecticut liquor permit holders received some good news Thursday as Gov. Ned Lamont said they could begin delivering directly to consumers while bans remain on dine-in services to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The governor on Thursday modified a previously signed executive order banning on-premise sales to allow breweries, wineries, cideries, distilleries, bars and restaurants and other holders of liquor permits to deliver their sealed products to consumers’ homes.
The Connecticut Brewers Guild, which represents 84 of the state’s 112-plus operating breweries, said Lamont’s decision is a major win for the industry as tap rooms statewide have been relying on beer-to-go or a curbside pickup sales.
“We’re proud to see so many of our breweries quickly adapting to the circumstances and rising to the occasion to keep their employees and communities safe,” said Phil Pappas, executive director of the organization. “We’re grateful to Governor Lamont and his administration for stepping up to grant our breweries this ability… .”
Lamont on Twitter Friday morning called the revised executive order “a small change to support and give an option to small businesses during this difficult time while still keeping people safe at home.”
The mass shut downs spurred by the coronavirus pandemic came as Connecticut’s brewery and restaurant industries were pushing for a bill that would allow the use of self-pour technology in their establishments. But the public health crisis has likely ended the 2020 legislative session, which ends midnight on May 6.
Still, liquor outlets and grocery stores across the U.S. experienced a 55% increase in sales nationally during the third week of March as millions of Americans were forced to stay home, according to Nielsen.
Sales of beer also soared. Nielsen said that larger packs of 24 or 30 both increased roughly 90% for the week compared to a year ago as people were preparing to limit their outside errands.
