LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Jim Runestad’s legislation to allow self-dispensing beer, wine or mixed spirits taps to be installed at tables or mounted onto walls at bars and restaurants across the state has been signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
“With the governor’s signature of this measure, Michigan has now joined 45 other states that allow self-dispensing technology as an option for busy bars and restaurants — while also improving safety for consumers,” said Runestad, R-White Lake. “This technology can help our local establishments improve their monitoring of the alcohol consumption of their customers and reduce the amount of touches of individual glasses.”
Senate Bill 656 amends the Michigan Liquor Control Code of 1998 to allow for tabletop and wall-mounted taps to be installed in Michigan bars and restaurants. Patrons would be able to access these self-serve taps through prepaid key cards that could be worn as a necklace or bracelet and track their consumption.
“Michigan has one of the country’s largest craft beer industries, and this reform will make a big difference in the technology available to business owners looking at new ways to better serve their customers,” Runestad said.
Self-serve tap machines would be limited to serving a total of 96 ounces in a single prepaid order — no more than 16 ounces of beer, 12 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of a mixed spirit per serving — and would not be permitted to dispense straight spirits.
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