Chapter 125

125.27(5) (5) Permits for racetrack grounds.

125.27(5)(a) (a) In this subsection, “racetrack grounds” means real property consisting of at least 300 acres containing a motor vehicle racetrack at least 4 miles in length capable of hosting professional racing events, and includes any building or other structure on this property associated with the racetrack or with services provided in connection with events held at the racetrack.

125.27(5)(b) (b) The division may issue Class “B” permits for locations within racetrack grounds to any person that holds a valid certificate issued under s. 73.03 (50), that is qualified under s. 125.04 (5) and (6), and that is the owner or operator of the racetrack grounds or is designated by the owner or operator of the racetrack grounds to operate premises located within the racetrack grounds. Subject to par. (e), the permit authorizes the retail sale of fermented malt beverages on the premises covered by the permit, for consumption anywhere within the racetrack grounds. If the division issues more than one permit under this subsection for the same racetrack grounds, no part of the premises covered by a permit under this subsection may overlap with premises covered by any other permit issued under this subsection.

125.27(5)(c) (c) Persons holding a permit under par. (b) may sell beverages containing less than 0.5 percent of alcohol by volume without obtaining a license under s. 66.0433.

125.27(5)(d) (d) Subject to ss. 125.07 (3) (a) 17. and 125.32 (3) (c) and (3m) (k), all provisions of this chapter applying to Class “B” licenses apply to Class “B” permits issued under this subsection, except as follows:

125.27(5)(d)1. 1. A permit issued under this subsection does not authorize retail sales of fermented malt beverages for consumption off the racetrack grounds.

125.27(5)(d)2. 2. A permit issued under this subsection authorizes the retail sale of fermented malt beverages for possession and consumption off the premises where sold if the possession and consumption occurs within the racetrack grounds.

125.27(5)(e) (e) A permit issued under this subsection does not authorize retail sales of fermented malt beverages at any designated camping area on racetrack grounds while the area is in use for camping.

125.27(5)(f) (f) The division shall establish a fee for a permit issued under this subsection in the amount of 50 percent of the fee for a permit issued under sub. (1).

125.27(6) (6) Permits for state fair park.

125.27(6)(a) (a) The state fair park board may issue Class “B” permits for locations at the state fair park to any person who holds a valid certificate issued under s. 73.03 (50), meets the qualifications under s. 125.04 (5) (a), (b), and (c), and, if applicable, satisfies the requirements under s. 125.04 (6). The state fair park board may use the application forms under s. 125.04 (3) (b) and (d) 1. or may prepare its own application forms with application information tailored to the permits under this subsection. The state fair park board’s notice of meeting under s. 19.84 for a meeting at which a permit application will be considered shall be given at least 15 days prior to the meeting.

125.27(6)(b) (b) A permit issued under this subsection authorizes the retail sale of fermented malt beverages on the premises covered by the permit, for consumption anywhere at the state fair park.

125.27(6)(c) (c) A permit issued under this subsection may describe as premises under the permit multiple locations at the state fair park.

125.27(6)(d) (d) A person holding a permit under this subsection is subject to any requirements or conditions imposed upon the person by the state fair park board in the permit or under a lease or vendor agreement. This agreement may require the person to remit to the state fair park board a percentage of gross sales of alcohol beverages as specified in the agreement.

125.27(6)(e) (e) Persons holding a permit under this subsection may sell beverages containing less than 0.5 percent of alcohol by volume without obtaining a license under s. 66.0433.

125.27(6)(f) (f) Sections 125.04 (3) (e), (f), and (g), (8), and (12), 125.045, 125.10, 125.12, and 125.185 do not apply with respect to a permit issued under this subsection.

125.27(6)(g) (g) A permit issued under this subsection shall be valid for one year and expire on June 30. The state fair park board shall establish an annual fee for a permit issued under this subsection in the amount of 50 percent of the annual fee for a permit issued under sub. (1). All fees received under this paragraph shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.190 (1) (h).

125.27(6)(h) (h)

125.27(6)(h)1. 1. The state fair park board shall establish standards, consistent with par. (a), and procedures for renewal of a permit issued under this subsection.

125.27(6)(h)2. 2. The state fair park board shall establish standards and procedures for suspension, revocation, or refusal to renew a permit issued under this subsection. A suspension, revocation, or refusal to renew a permit under this subsection is a contested case under ch. 227.

125.27(6)(i) (i) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, all sections of this chapter relating to Class “B” licenses apply to Class “B” permits issued under this subsection.

125.27(6)(j) (j) The state fair park board shall have the enforcement powers of s. 42.01 over a permittee under this subsection.

125.27(6)(k) (k) A municipality may not issue a Class “B” license for premises within the state fair park. Except as provided in ss. 125.29 (3) (j) and 125.295 (1) (i), no person may sell fermented malt beverages at retail at the state fair park unless the person holds a permit issued under this subsection, and no brewer, brewpub, or wholesaler may sell fermented malt beverages to a person for resale at the state fair park unless the person holds a permit issued under this subsection.

125.27(7) (7) Interest restrictions. Subject to s. 125.20 (6), a Class “B” permit may not be issued to any person who holds, or has an interest in a permittee holding, any of the following:

125.27(7)(a) (a) A wholesaler’s permit issued under s. 125.28 or 125.54.

125.27(7)(b) (b) A brewer’s permit issued under s. 125.29.

125.27(7)(c) (c) A brewpub permit issued under s. 125.295.

125.27(7)(d) (d) A winery permit issued under s. 125.53.

125.27(7)(e) (e) A manufacturer’s or rectifier’s permit issued under s. 125.52.

125.27(7)(f) (f) An out-of-state shipper’s permit issued under s. 125.30 or 125.58.

125.27 History History: 1981 c. 79, 202; 1983 a. 27 s. 2202 (38); 1985 a. 302; 1987 a. 91; 1989 a. 16, 252, 253, 359; 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 248; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 2009 a. 28; 2017 a. 59, 95, 364; 2021 a. 39, 43; 2023 a. 73.

125.272 125.272 Face-to-face retail sales. Except as provided in ss. 125.26 (2m), (2s), and (2x) and 125.27 (4) and except with respect to caterers, a retail license issued under s. 125.25 or 125.26, and a retail permit issued under s. 125.27, authorizes only face-to-face sales to consumers at the premises described in the retail license or permit.

125.272 History History: 2007 a. 85; 2017 a. 95.

125.275 125.275 Industrial fermented malt beverages permit.

125.275(1) (1) The division may issue an industrial fermented malt beverages permit which authorizes the permittee to purchase and use fermented malt beverages for industrial purposes only. Such permits may be issued only to persons who prove to the division that they use alcohol for industrial purposes and who holds a valid certificate issued under s. 73.03 (50).

125.275(2) (2) 

125.275(2)(a) (a) Industrial fermented malt beverages permits may be issued to any person qualified under s. 125.04 (5), except a person acting as agent for or in the employ of another. Notwithstanding s. 125.04 (5) (a) 5., a person is not required to complete a responsible beverage server training course to be qualified for a permit under this section.

125.275(2)(b) (b) An industrial fermented malt beverages permit may not be issued to a person holding a wholesaler’s permit issued under s. 125.28 or to a person who has an interest in a permittee under s. 125.28.

125.275(3) (3) Shipments of industrial fermented malt beverages shall be conspicuously labeled “for industrial purposes” and shall meet other requirements which the division prescribes by rule.

125.275 History History: 1985 a. 29; 1989 a. 253; 1993 a. 259, 378; 1995 a. 27; 2011 a. 32; 2023 a. 73.

125.28 125.28 Wholesalers’ permits.

125.28(1) (1) 

125.28(1)(a) (a) Subject to par. (b), the division may issue permits to wholesalers for the sale of fermented malt beverages from premises within this state, which premises shall comply with the requirements under s. 125.34 (2). Subject to s. 125.34, and except as provided in pars. (e) and (f), a wholesaler’s permit authorizes sales of fermented malt beverages only in original packages or containers to retailers or wholesalers.

125.28(1)(b) (b) If a wholesaler does not maintain any warehouse in this state but is licensed and maintains a warehouse in an adjoining state that allows wholesalers holding a wholesaler’s permit in this state to deliver fermented malt beverages to retailers in the adjoining state without warehousing in that state and that further requires that all fermented malt beverages be first unloaded and physically at rest at, and distributed from, the warehouse of the licensed wholesaler in that state, the wholesaler’s permit shall be issued by the division. Notwithstanding s. 125.04 (5) (a) 2. and (c) and (6), the division may issue the wholesaler’s permit to a wholesaler described in this paragraph who is a natural person and not a resident of this state or that is a corporation or limited liability company and has not appointed an agent in this state.

125.28(1)(c) (c) No additional license or permit is required for the solicitation of orders for sale to or by wholesalers holding a permit under this section.

125.28(1)(d) (d) Wholesalers holding a permit under this section, employees of such wholesalers, and individuals representing such wholesalers may not provide or participate in providing taste samples under ss. 125.25 (1) and 125.33 (12).

125.28(1)(e) (e) Notwithstanding ss. 125.04 (9) and 125.09 (1), if a wholesaler was issued a retail license prior to January 1, 2011, then the wholesaler may, under its wholesaler’s permit, continue to sell at retail fermented malt beverages to individuals as was permitted under the previously issued retail license.

125.28(1)(f) (f) A wholesaler’s permit authorizes the wholesaler to sell or give fermented malt beverages to its employees. Fermented malt beverages may be consumed on a wholesaler’s premises at events not open to the general public.

125.28(2) (2) 

125.28(2)(a) (a) A wholesaler’s permit may be issued to any person qualified under s. 125.04 (5) except a person acting as an agent for, or in the employ of, another person. Notwithstanding s. 125.04 (5) (a) 5., a person is not required to complete a responsible beverage server training course to be qualified for a permit under this section.

125.28(2)(b) (b) Subject to s. 125.20 (6), a wholesaler’s permit may not be issued to any of the following:

125.28(2)(b)1. 1. A person holding one or more of the following licenses or permits:

125.28(2)(b)1.a. a. A Class “A” license issued under s. 125.25 or “Class A” license issued under s. 125.51 (2).

125.28(2)(b)1.b. b. A Class “B” license issued under s. 125.26, “Class B” license issued under s. 125.51 (3), or “Class C” license issued under s. 125.51 (3m).

125.28(2)(b)1.c. c. A Class “B” permit issued under s. 125.27 or “Class B” permit issued under s. 125.51 (5).

125.28(2)(b)1.d. d. An industrial fermented malt beverages permit issued under s. 125.275.

125.28(2)(b)1.e. e. A brewpub permit issued under s. 125.295.

125.28(2)(b)1.f. f. A brewer’s permit issued under s. 125.29.

125.28(2)(b)1.g. g. A winery permit issued under s. 125.53.

125.28(2)(b)1.h. h. A manufacturer’s or rectifier’s permit issued under s. 125.52.

125.28(2)(b)1.i. i. An out-of-state shipper’s permit issued under s. 125.30 or 125.58.

125.28(2)(b)1.j. j. A no-sale event venue permit issued under s. 125.24.

Effective date note NOTE: Subd. 1. j. is created eff. 1-1-26 by 2023 Wis. Act 73.

125.28(2)(b)2. 2. Subject to s. 125.20 (6), a person who has an interest in a person holding one or more of the licenses or permits listed in subd. 1.

125.28(2)(d) (d) Notwithstanding par. (b) 1. f. and 2., a wholesaler may not hold any ownership interest in any brewer, except a wholesaler that holds an ownership interest in a brewer on July 1, 2011, may continue to hold that interest.

125.28(3) (3) Wholesalers’ permits shall particularly describe the premises for which issued and are not transferable, except as provided in s. 125.04 (12). A wholesaler’s permit is subject to revocation for violation of any of the terms or provisions thereof.

125.28(4) (4) The amount of the permit fee shall be established by the division and shall be an amount that is sufficient to fund one special agent position dedicated to alcohol and tobacco enforcement in the division, but the permit fee may not exceed $2,500 per year or fractional part thereof. All permit fees received under this subsection shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.566 (1) (hd).

125.28(5) (5) 

125.28(5)(a) (a) The premises described in a permit issued under this section shall be capable of warehousing fermented malt beverages. Any fermented malt beverages sold by the wholesaler shall be physically unloaded at the premises described in the permit, or at any warehouse premises for which the wholesaler also holds a permit under this section and a permit issued under s. 125.19, prior to being delivered to a retail licensee or to another wholesaler.

125.28(5)(b) (b) A wholesaler under this section shall annually sell and deliver fermented malt beverages to at least 25 retail licensees or other wholesalers that do not have an interest in each other or in the wholesaler. The division may not issue a permit under this section unless the applicant represents to the division an intention to satisfy this requirement, and may not renew a permit issued under this section unless the wholesaler demonstrates that this requirement has been satisfied.

125.28(5)(c) (c) No fermented malt beverages retail licensee or wholesaler may receive a benefit from a violation under par. (a) or (b) with knowledge of the circumstances giving rise to the violation.

125.28(5)(d) (d)

125.28(5)(d)1. 1. A wholesaler that violates this subsection shall be fined not more than $10,000. In addition, a court shall order the wholesaler to forfeit an amount equal to any profit gained by the wholesaler or retail licensee that violates par. (c), or by both, resulting from the violation, and the court shall further order that the wholesaler’s permit be revoked.

125.28(5)(d)2. 2. A court shall order a retail licensee or wholesaler that violates this subsection to forfeit an amount equal to any profit gained by the retail licensee or wholesaler resulting from the violation, and the court shall further order that the retail license or wholesaler’s permit be revoked.

125.28(5)(d)3. 3. This paragraph shall not affect the authority of any municipality or the division to revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew or issue a license or permit under s. 125.12.

125.28(5)(e) (e) The division shall promulgate rules to administer and enforce the requirements under this subsection. The rules shall ensure coordination between the division’s issuance and renewal of permits under this section and its enforcement of the requirements of this subsection, and shall require that all applications for issuance or renewal of permits under this section be processed by division personnel generally familiar with activities of fermented malt beverages wholesalers. The division shall establish by rule minimum requirements for warehouse facilities on premises described in permits issued under this section and for periodic site inspections by the division of such warehouse facilities.

125.28 History History: 1981 c. 79; 1989 a. 31, 253; 1993 a. 112, 259, 378, 491; 1995 a. 225; 1999 a. 163; 2003 a. 250; 2005 a. 103, 115; 2007 a. 9, 20; 2011 a. 32; 2023 a. 73.

125.29 125.29 Brewers.

125.29(1) (1) Permit. No person may operate as a brewer unless that person obtains a permit from the division. A permit under this section may only be issued to a person who holds a valid certificate issued under s. 73.03 (50).

125.29(2) (2) Interest restrictions.

125.29(2)(a) (a) Subject to s. 125.20 (6), a brewer’s permit may not be issued to any person who holds, or has an interest in a licensee or permittee holding, any of the following:

125.29(2)(a)1. 1. A Class “A” license issued under s. 125.25 or “Class A” license issued under s. 125.51 (2).

125.29(2)(a)2. 2. A Class “B” license issued under s. 125.26, “Class B” license issued under s. 125.51 (3), or “Class C” license issued under s. 125.51 (3m).

125.29(2)(a)3. 3. A Class “B” permit issued under s. 125.27 or “Class B” permit issued under s. 125.51 (5).

125.29(2)(a)4. 4. Except as provided in par. (c), a wholesaler’s permit issued under s. 125.28 or 125.54.

125.29(2)(a)5. 5. A brewpub permit issued under s. 125.295.

125.29(2)(a)6. 6. A no-sale event venue permit under s. 125.24.

Effective date note NOTE: Subd. 6. is created eff. 1-1-26 by 2023 Wis. Act 73.

125.29(2)(c) (c) If a wholesaler that has been granted distribution rights by a brewer for a brand in a designated sales territory is unable to service the designated sales territory for any reason, including the discontinuation of the wholesaler’s distribution rights, bankruptcy, or criminal prosecution of the wholesaler in connection with operation of the wholesaler, and the reason is not the result of an action by the brewer, then a brewer shall be allowed, for a period of not more than one year, to take temporary control and operation of the wholesaler.