Allowing a bar to purchase liquor from a distillery or a mini-distillery

HB 5243 would amend West Virginia law to allow bars to purchase liquor directly from distilleries or mini-distilleries located within 10 miles of the bar, provided the liquor was produced at that facility. This change would streamline the supply chain for locally made alcohol, potentially lowering costs for bars and supporting small distilleries. The bill requires distilleries to pay a 5% fee and an $0.80 per case fee to the state, and to contribute 2% of sales to nearby retailers (capped at $15,000 annually). It would primarily affect small distilleries and bars in rural West Virginia, where the 10-mile radius is common.