Micro-Manufacturing License

An application can be made to the Western Cape Liquor Authority for the granting of a license for the micro-manufacture and sale of liquor for consumption both on and off the premises where the liquor is sold.

This would usually be required by a wine-farmer or other manufacturer of alcohol. The consumption on the premises section of the license would allow the farmer to permit wine-tasting and/or consumption on a Restaurant or Bar facility that the farmer might have on the property (only of the liquor so manufactured by the licensee).

Micro Manufacturing means to manufacture liquor at or below the prescribed threshold volume in terms of Section 4 of the Liquor Act. The Western Cape Liquor Act determines that a person may not micro-manufacture or sell liquor unless authorised to do so in terms of a license issued in terms of the Act, the National Liquor Act or the Liquor Act of 1989.

A licensee in respect of a license that includes the right to micro-manufacture, may apply to the Liquor Licensing Tribunal to let the licensed premises concerned or part thereof to another person for the purpose of micro-manufacturing by lodging with the Board an application in the prescribed manner and form, and against payment of the prescribed fee.

The following kinds of licenses would now be considered as micro-manufacturing licenses under the new Act, namely licenses which was in force immediately before the commencement of the new Liquor Act on 1 April 2012 and in respect of which the volume of liquor manufactured in the preceding 12 months did not exceed the threshold limit prescribed in terms of the Liquor Act:

• Wholesale Liquor License;

• Producer's License;

• Brewer's License;

• Sorghum beer brewer's license; and

• Special liquor license for off-consumption, which includes the right to micro-manufacture liquor.