WV by the Numbers • License Counts 2021

As the new year begins, let’s take a look at the count of active alcohol licenses, as reported by the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration in January 2021.

License Category	Jan. 2021 Count
Private Clubs (Liquor, Wine, Beer)	1690
Fraternal Clubs (Liquor, Wine, Beer)	197
Private Wine Restaurant	9
Taverns (Beer Only)	500
Beer Retail (Grocery, C-Store, Bottle Shop)	2156
Growler Filling (On- & Off-Premise Accnts)	105
Wine Retail	1730
Wine Direct Shipper	354
Liquor Store	173
Resident Brewer	28
Non-resident Brewer/Importer	83
Farm Winery	29
Regular Distillery	9
Mini Distillery	11
Micro Distillery	1
Beer Distributors	35
Wine Distributors	39
Transportation Companies	52

Private Clubs – 1,690

With nearly 1,700 licensees, we have about one private club for every 790 adult residents (21 and over). Private club licensees may sell beer, liquor and wine. Almost none are truly “private clubs” but must say they are in order to obtain a liquor license. The license allows only sales for consumption on the premises. Most would commonly be considered liquor bars and all sell some kind of food, though that varies widely from packaged snacks to fancy dinner cuisine. They range in size from the tiny video lottery dens to major restaurant chains like Applebees, Olive Garden, and Buffalo Wild Wings. Annual Cost: $1,150 – $2,650

Fraternal Clubs – 197

This category is basically a private club license for fraternal organizations, which they can obtain at a discount. It allows them to sell liquor, beer and wine. Fraternal organizations are entities such as Moose, Elks, American Legion, VFW, etc. Annual Cost: $900

Taverns – 500

The tavern license allows the the sale of beer only. Beer may be sold both for on-premise consumption and to-go. It is bargain priced if all a business wants to sell is beer. Annual Cost: $150

Private Wine Restaurant – 9

Allows the sales of wine and the on-premise consumption of it at the restaurant. Annual Cost: $250

Beer Grocery -2,156

This is the catch-all license for off-premise beer sales at grocery stores, convenience stores, and liquor stores. The beer must be sold in its original package. Annual Cost: $150

Growler Filling – 105

The growler filling license applies only to beer and allows the holder to fill and sell growlers for consumption off the premises only. May be obtained by private clubs, taverns, brewpubs, and grocery stores. Annual Cost: $100

Wine Retail – 1,730

This is the license required to sell packaged wine to-go if you operate a grocery store or a convenience store. Wine Retailers must purchase their wine from a licensed WV Wine Distributor or a WV licensed winery. Annual Cost: $150

Wine Specialty Store – included in Wine Retail

Allows a retailer to sell bottled wine to-go but not have the grocery inventory requirement of the regular wine retailer license. Annual Cost: $250

Liquor Store – 173

Permits the sale of distilled spirits for off-premise consumption. Some are free-standing and others are part of larger retail operations, such as drug stores or grocery store. Retailers must bid on licenses that are good for a 10 year period and also pay an annual fee.. Annual Cost: $2,000

Breweries – 28

Permits the brewing of beer and the sale of your one packaged beer to consumers for consumption off the premises. Annual Cost: 12,500 barrels or less $500; up to 25,000 barrels $1,000; over 25,000 barrels $1,500

Brewpub – 26

Required for a brewery to sell its beer by the glass, bottle or can for consumption on the premises of the brewery. Annual Cost: $500

Non-resident Beer Brewer/Importer

Required for an out-of-state brewer or beer importer to sell its beer to West Virginia beer distributors. Annual Cost: 12,500 barrels or less $500; up to 25,000 barrels $1,000; over 25,000 barrels $1,500

Distillery, Regular – 9

Allows the production of distilled spirits and the sale of packaged products for consumption off the premises. No restrictions on production volume or ingredient sourcing. May operate a tasting room and provide small free samples, but no other on-premise consumption allowed. Annual Cost: $1,500

Distillery, Mini – 11

For distilleries producing up to 50,000 gallons of alcoholic liquor per year and with no less than 25% of raw agricultural products being produced by the owner of the mini-distillery on the premises of that establishment, and no more than 25% of raw agricultural products originating from any source outside this state. May operate a tasting room and provide small free samples, but no other on-premise consumption allowed. Annual Cost: $50

Distillery, Micro – 1

For small distilleries producing up to 10,000 gallons of alcoholic liquor per year and that source at least 75% of their raw agricultural ingredients from West Virginia farms. May operate a tasting room and provide small free samples, but no other on-premise consumption allowed. Annual Cost: $ 750

Farm Winery – 29

The license for wineries that grow/produce at least 25% of the raw ingredients that go into their wine. Winery license covers the production of table wines, desert wines, ciders and meads. A licensee may produce any or all of those type products. The winery may sell its packaged products to wine distributors, wine retailers and directly to the consumer for consumption off the premises. Annual Cos: $50

Winery – 0

For wineries that do not grow or source 25% of their ingredients from West Virginia farms. Annual Cost: $1,500

Wine Direct Shipper – 354

Allows an out-of-state or in-state business to ship packaged wine directly to consumers in West Virginia. Annual Cost: $150 (< 14% ABV) or $250 (>14% ABV)

Beer Distributors – 35

Allows a West Virginia business to purchase beer from in-state or out-of-state brewers and sell it to licensed beer retailers in West Virginia. The count of beer distributors has declined over the past 10 years as mergers have resulted in fewer, but larger, distributors . Annual Cost: $1,000

Wine Distributors -39

Allows the licensee to purchase wine from wineries and sell to Wine Retailers. Annual Cost: $2,500

Transportation Permit – 52

Required for the commercial transportation of liquor, wine, or beer to, in, or through West Virginia. Each vehicle used must have a permit. Annual Cost: Liquor and Wine $10 for the first vehicle and $1.00 for each additional; for Beer $0