Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control
Encyclopedia
The Department of Liquor Control is a government agency within the County of Montgomery
, Maryland
. They currently hold a nearly six decade monopoly on the sale of certain Alcoholic beverages
, specifically hard liquor products (Whisky
, Rum
, Vodka
etc...) throughout the county's 507 square miles (1,313.1 km²) radius. It is one of four counties in Maryland designated as an Alcohol Beverage Control County, The other ABC Control counties are Somerset
, Worcester
and Wicomico
.
Established on July 1, 1951 Montgomery County's Liquor Control Board was created under the terms of Section 159 of Article 2B of the Annotated Code of Maryland
. The Board of License Commissioners, which had been created on December 5, 1933, became a completely separate entity. The Board is responsible for licensing and regulation of liquor, a responsibility which they share with both local and county police departments.
The Department of Liquor Control distributes spirits, wines and liquors through its 24 owned and operated retail stores throughout the county. The MCDoLC is the only authorized sellers of spirits
for off-premises consumption in the county. According to the Liquor Control Department Rules and Regulations the only exception to this monopoly are four grocery stores whose licenses to sell hard liquor were grandfathered prior to the change of the alcohol laws in the state but according to the Liquor Commisions annual report, page 3, this number has been reduced to one establishment . Other off-premise license holders may sell only wine and beer.
Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland, situated just to the north of Washington, D.C., and southwest of the city of Baltimore. It is one of the most affluent counties in the United States, and has the highest percentage of residents over 25 years of age who hold post-graduate...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. They currently hold a nearly six decade monopoly on the sale of certain Alcoholic beverages
Alcoholic beverage
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries, and over 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption...
, specifically hard liquor products (Whisky
Whisky
Whisky or whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Different grains are used for different varieties, including barley, malted barley, rye, malted rye, wheat, and corn...
, Rum
Rum
Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane by-products such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice, by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak barrels...
, Vodka
Vodka
Vodka , is a distilled beverage. It is composed primarily of water and ethanol with traces of impurities and flavorings. Vodka is made by the distillation of fermented substances such as grains, potatoes, or sometimes fruits....
etc...) throughout the county's 507 square miles (1,313.1 km²) radius. It is one of four counties in Maryland designated as an Alcohol Beverage Control County, The other ABC Control counties are Somerset
Somerset County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*53.5% White*42.3% Black*0.3% Native American*0.7% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.7% Two or more races*1.5% Other races*3.3% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, Worcester
Worcester County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*82.0% White*13.6% Black*0.3% Native American*1.1% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.7% Two or more races*1.3% Other races*3.2% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
and Wicomico
Wicomico County, Maryland
As of the census of 2010, there were 98,733 people, 37,220 households, and 24,172 families residing in the county. The population density was 261.7 people per square mile . There were 41,192 housing units at an average density of 109.2 per square mile...
.
Established on July 1, 1951 Montgomery County's Liquor Control Board was created under the terms of Section 159 of Article 2B of the Annotated Code of Maryland
Annotated Code of Maryland
The Annotated Code of Maryland, published by The Michie Company, is the official codification of the statutory laws of Maryland. It is organized, by subject matter, in two sets of volumes...
. The Board of License Commissioners, which had been created on December 5, 1933, became a completely separate entity. The Board is responsible for licensing and regulation of liquor, a responsibility which they share with both local and county police departments.
The Department of Liquor Control distributes spirits, wines and liquors through its 24 owned and operated retail stores throughout the county. The MCDoLC is the only authorized sellers of spirits
Distilled beverage
A distilled beverage, liquor, or spirit is an alcoholic beverage containing ethanol that is produced by distilling ethanol produced by means of fermenting grain, fruit, or vegetables...
for off-premises consumption in the county. According to the Liquor Control Department Rules and Regulations the only exception to this monopoly are four grocery stores whose licenses to sell hard liquor were grandfathered prior to the change of the alcohol laws in the state but according to the Liquor Commisions annual report, page 3, this number has been reduced to one establishment . Other off-premise license holders may sell only wine and beer.